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SMALL COLLEGE NOTEBOOK

Vulcans home for
WAC play

Big-time collegiate baseball has finally arrived on the Big Island.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo Vulcans have their first Western Athletic Conference home series this season, beginning tonight against Rice at Francis Wong Stadium.

"It's like our first day of school again," said coach Joey Estrella. "It's something brand new and exciting for our team to be playing in a conference and hopefully for a conference title.

"This season will show how we have grown and developed as a baseball program."

The Vulcans (10-5) opened the WAC season at 1-5, having just completed three-game road series at both San Jose State and nationally-ranked Fresno State.

The Vulcans won their WAC opener against San Jose State but dropped their next five games. Despite the five-game slide, Estrella is still upbeat.

"We gave a good account of ourselves," said Estrella. "We won't be making major adjustments.

"We've got pretty good starting pitching, but we're still trying to find that one person who can come in and really shut the opponents down."

Softball:

Hawaii Pacific, ranked No. 7 in NCAA Division II, lost in Pacific West play for the first time this season on Monday. The Sea Warriors (12-5, 6-1) fell to the Seasiders, 4-2, in 13 innings.

It was just the second time in 31 contests the Seasiders came out on top. Despite the loss, the Sea Warriors continue to lead the Pacific Division of the conference standings at 6-1.

The Sea Warriors resume conference play this weekend on the road at UH-Hilo. The Sea Warriors play two games against the Vulcans, one on Saturday and the other on Sunday, both starting at noon at the UHH field.

By Brandon Lee, Special to the Star-Bulletin

U.H. Hilo

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