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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, February 7, 2003

Sonoma State cruises past Hawai'i Pacific in baseball

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

The season opener for the Hawai'i Pacific baseball team turned into a home run derby for Sonoma State.

Sonoma State blasted three home runs, including a grand slam, and crushed HPU, 15-6, in the first game of a doubleheader last night at Hans L'Orange Park.

The second game was still in progress as The Advertiser went to press.

"To beat teams like this, you gotta play them close, you can't give them an inch, you gotta make good pitches," HPU coach Allan Sato said. "We failed to make good pitches in key situations."

Yesterday's doubleheader was part of a six-game series. The two teams will play a doubleheader today at 4 p.m. and a doubleheader tomorrow at 2 p.m.

The Sea Warriors (4-0-1), who compete as an independent in NCAA Division II, have 18 newcomers on their 27-player roster and are coming off an 18-31 season. The Division II Seawolves, who compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, are coming off a 41-24 season.

Despite the loss, HPU received a lift from four freshmen — centerfielder Geoffrey Say, third baseman Grandon Costa, second baseman Brandon Sato and reliever Ikena DuPont. Costa had three hits, while Sato and Say each had two. DuPont pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

"I'm satisfied with what the freshmen did offensively," Allan Sato said. "We had a great outing from a freshman pitcher Ikena DuPont."

Sonoma State left-handed starter Brian Hannah earned the victory. He pitched five innings and allowed four earned runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out five, including the final two HPU batters in the fifth inning with runners on first and third.

HPU left-handed starter Blane Muraoka failed to get out of the fourth inning and took the loss. He lasted 3¡ innings and surrendered 10 hits, seven runs and two walks.

"I didn't get ahead of the batters," Muraoka said. "When I fall behind they're going to hit me. I had some hard luck, but it's something I have to battle through."

In the first inning, the Seawolves scored three runs off Muraoka. Designated hitter Darrel Jacks slammed a one-out, two-run triple and right fielder Brandon Burgess followed with an RBI ground out to the shortstop.

HPU responded with one run in the second inning off Hannah. Say singled, advanced to third on a single by left fielder Scott Hunter and scored on a fielder's choice grounder by right fielder Tyler Ward.

Sonoma State added four runs in the second inning for a 7-1 lead. In the inning, the Seawolves had four hits and were aided by two HPU errors. Shortstop Gil Barry, first baseman Tom Everidge, Jacks and Burgess each had one RBI.