After taking two of three games at Cal State Fullerton this past weekend, the University of Hawai’i baseball team returns home to Murakami Stadium for what may be its most consequential series in over a decade.
The Rainbow Warriors (31-18, 14-13 Big West) will open a three-game series against UC San Diego (25-23, 14-13) on Thursday, with both teams tied for fourth place in the Big West standings. Only the top five teams in the conference will advance to the inaugural Big West Championship Tournament, setting up a winner-take-all scenario in Mānoa.
Simply put: the winner of the series punches its ticket to the postseason. The loser’s season ends under the Hawaiian sun.
“We have the best fans in the world, and it really has an impact on the game,” said head coach Rich Hill. “The electricity around it… it just has such an impact for the home team. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be rocking. You don’t want to miss out. We need your support.”
“I’m excited for the fans of Hawai’i that they can come out in force and see baseball where there’s a consequence—good or bad—attached to it,” Hill added. “Meaningful baseball, excitement in the air, playing for something—it really means a lot to be able to do that in May here at home.”
Senior first baseman Ben Zeigler-Namoa echoed his coach’s sentiment.
“I think it’s going to be huge,” Zeigler-Namoa said. “Both teams are going to be fighting with everything they’ve got. It’s going to be a dogfight, and having the fans behind us is one advantage we definitely have. It gives you a little tingle in your stomach. It’s a great opportunity to prove ourselves.”
The series will be played Thursday, Friday and Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium.
All three games will be televised on Spectrum Sports and carried on ESPN Honolulu radio.
For continuing coverage, stay with KHON2 Sports on-air and online.