Hawaii tribune-herald
Hawaii tribune-herald
UH-Hilo coach Kallen Miyataki figured Hawaii would be licking its chops to face the challenge of Jordan Kurokawa’s fastball.
As it turned out, the Rainbow Warriors were left licking their wounds.
It’s not an overstatement to stay Kurokawa delivered the game of his life in front of 938 fans Saturday night at Hilo’s Wong Stadium. The right-hander pitched a two-hitter to lead Vulcans to a 1-0 season-opening victory.
“I’m ecstatic,” Kurokawa said. “This is definitely the highlight of my career.”
The senior grew up on Oahu and had hoped to play for Hawaii while playing his high school ball at Maryknoll.
“Of course, (Hawaii) was the program I followed,” Kurokawa said. “I think they took one look at me and thought I had some issues.”
He had none Saturday night, striking out seven, working around two walks and relying on his fastball as his go-to pitch. Matt LoCoco and Alan Baldwin had the only hits, each a single, for Division I UH.
“I tired a little in the sixth and seventh, but one I smelled the end I was ready,” Kurokawa said.
Keaau graduate Jonathan Segovia drove in the only of the game with a two-out single in the seventh off Brendan Hornung (0-1). Edison Sakata led off the inning with a single and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a flyout.
Hornung, a junior college transfer lose his UH debut, throwing 6 2/3 innings with three strikeouts. He allowed eight hits and issues two walks.
Leadoff hitter Kyle Yamada has three hits for the Vulcans, who will go for the two-game sweep at 1 p.m. Sunday at Wong.
Kurokawa threw 109 pitches and retired the side in the ninth, striking out Marcus Doi to end it as the trimmed Rainbow Warriors’ lead in the series to 108-21 and 46-8 in Hilo.
“It’s our biggest rival,” Kurokawa said, “but I just wanted to go out with a clear mind and help my team win.
“My defense looks clutch this year.”