Sean Nearhoof doesn’t want to be that guy. The one who tries so hard to make the big play that he fails to deliver the small one and costs his team.
Nearhoof was just as happy Friday night, when he drove in a run with a groundout and aided the go-head rally in the eighth by being plunked in a victory against Holy Names, as he was Saturday night, when he hit a pair of run-scoring singles in forging a three-hit game as the Vulcans split a doubleheader at Wong Stadium.
When it comes to performing in the clutch, coach Kallen Miyataki says Nearhoof is the man, and it’s easy to see why the second-year coach counts on the junior catcher for leadership.
“Through high school, I’ve always been in situations where I was trying to not take it into my own hand,” Nearhoof said. “Just fundamentals, bunting, stuff like that.
“Definitely here, I’ve noticed coming up to the plate in clutch situations, I’ve been able to come through a lot. Even if it’s a simple thing like a guy is on third base, hit a ball to third and get a run in there. I’ve been definitely blessed that I’ve been able to come up clutch in a lot of situations.”
Through nine games, Nearhoof sees the Vulcans (4-5, 2-2 Pacific West Conference) as team that’s improved offensively – both from the power and situational hitting standpoints – but one that still needs to clean up its act in the field.
Three errors contributed to the Vulcans 10-3’ loss in the first game Saturday, and they made two more in the nightcap, a 5-2 win behind the arm of Eric Vega.
A recent PacWest Newcomer of the Week selection, Vegas (1-0) hasn’t walked a batter in 12 1/3 innings and has allowed only one earned run as UH-Hilo’s fourth starter.
Miyataki can reset his rotation if he chooses when Fresno Pacific (9-4, 0-2) visits Wong for a 4 p.m. doubleheaders Wednesday and Thursday, and he hopes the Sunbirds don’t have player that punishes his pitchers the way Holy Names’ Benjamin Gamba did.
Gamba got to Vega for three hits after going 4 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs in the opener. In the four-game series, the junior finished with 12 hits.
The skipper went through five pitchers in the first game Saturday. Jordan Kumasaka (0-1) started and took the loss, allowing six hits and three runs – one earned – with two walks in 3 2/3 innings.
Waiakea graduate Korin Medeiros entered hitting .379 with four extra-base hits, but he went hitless for the first time this season, and Miyataki said the sophomore sat out the second game with shoulder stiffness.
Miyataki said before his debut campaign in 2014 that he wanted to build his program locally, and he’s liked what’s seen so far from Medeiros, junior Keenan Nishioka and redshirt freshman Jonathan Segovia.
Nishioka, a former Hilo Viking, and freshman Phillip Steering share the duties at first base and designated hitter, while Segovia, a former Keaau Cougar, has begun to feel more comfortable when he sees time in center field.
While Steering had a pair of multihit games Saturday for the Vulcans, leadoff-hitting second baseman Byron Freitas went a combined 3 for 7 to raise his average to .393. Right behind him in the lineup, junior senior baseman Sam Kim is hitting .344.
