UC Irvine made history over the weekend by becoming the first Big West team to sweep the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors under coach Rich Hill. The No. 20 Anteaters showcased their offensive prowess with a dominant 12-5 victory in front of a crowd of 1,610 at Les Murakami Stadium.
UCI’s impressive performance included a 17-hit outing, with every Anteater who stepped up to the plate contributing to the offensive onslaught. Leadoff man Caden Kendle stood out with a four-hit game, setting the tone for the team’s success.
Hawaii fought back after falling behind 6-0, narrowing the gap to 6-5 thanks to Kyson Donahue’s three-run homer in the third inning. However, UCI’s bullpen shut down any hopes of a comeback, keeping the Rainbow Warriors off the board for the rest of the game.
Coach Hill acknowledged the challenges posed by UCI’s potent lineup, describing their offense as “Omaha-esque.” Despite the tough loss, Hill expressed pride in his team’s resilience and the valuable lessons learned from the series.
UCI coach Ben Orloff, a former Anteaters standout, praised his team’s performance and highlighted the leadership of players like Anthony Martinez and Kendle. The Anteaters’ sweep in Hawaii marked a significant achievement for the program, setting the stage for their continued success in the Big West conference.
As Hawaii prepares for a matchup against Hawaii Pacific before hitting the road for a two-week Big West road trip, both teams will use the Easter weekend to regroup and refocus on their goals for the remainder of the season.