University of Hawaii at Hilo coach Kallen Miyataki had hoped Korin Medeiros was ready for a breakout season.
Smack dab in the the middle of the Vulcans’ lineup, the Waiakea graduate appears to be well on his way. Medeiros collected five more hits Friday as UH-Hilo split a doubleheader against Holy Names at Wong Stadium.
Medeiros went 3 for 5 as the Vulcans (3-4, 1-1 Pacific West Conference) collected 16 hits in winning the opener 9-5.
Hawaii Prep graduate Micah Ashburn held UH-Hilo’s bats in check as the Hawks (9-5, 1-1) prevailed 8-2 in the nightcap.
Ka Makani graduate Jayse Bannister didn’t have as much luck in the first game as each UH-Hilo starter collected at least one hit.
For all of their hitting, the Vulcans went ahead in the eighth by scratching across the first of four runs.
Byron Freitas led off with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error. Medeiros singled and Hilo graduate Keenan Nishioka walked to load the bases. Sean Nearhoof was hit by a pitch and Edison Sakata singled through the left side to bring in another run.
Sakata collected three hits and two RBIs, Nearhoof drove in two runs, Nishioka scored three runs and Kim was 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Jeremy Dela Cruz (1-0) worked the final 3 1/3 scoreless innings to get the win, striking out three and allowing two hits and a walk. Starter Jordyn Ah Chong lasted 4 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and three runs – two earned.
Bannister got a no-decision despite allowing 12 hits in five innings. The second of five Holy Names pitchers, Ricardo Torres took the loss.
Medeiros lifted his average to .379 on the young season with two hits in the second game.
The sophomore right fielder has hit safely in all seven games this season.
The Hawks’ Clayton Johannes provided the big blow with a grand slam to greet reliever David Moody as Holy Names broke open a 3-2 game with a five-run seventh.
Vulcans starter Jordan Kurokawa fell to 1-1, walking four and allowing five hits and three runs with two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Ashburn allowed only two unearned runs in six innings to improve to 2-0. He walked three and struck out two.
Freitas was 2 for 3 for the Vulcans, who played the Hawks in another doubleheader at 4 p.m. Saturday at Wong that ended after the Tribune-Herald’s deadline.