Hoffman’s Blast Powers Hawai‘i Past Cal State Fullerton to Even Series

By Kennedy Choo

In the bottom of the sixth with one out, in front of a sold out Les Murakami Stadium, senior designated hitter Christian Hoffman stepped to the plate, looking to build on Hawai‘i’s 4–0 lead over Cal State Fullerton.

After taking the first pitch, Hoffman locked in, hunting anything in the strike zone—and he got it.

On the very next pitch, Hoffman launched a no-doubt home run into the night sky, sending it out to right field to push the lead to 5–0.

“I knew it the second I hit it,” Hoffman said. “I might have stared at it a little too long, but it felt too good not to watch.”

On the night, the Rainbow Warriors tallied 10 hits, bouncing back against the Titans to even the series at 1–1 with a 6–2 win.

Hoffman wasn’t the only ‘Bow to get hot at the plate.

In the bottom of the second, with two outs and runners on first and second, junior first baseman Josh Martin lined a single to right-center, bringing home catcher Jake Redding to make it 2–0. Martin was caught stealing to end the play, but graduate second baseman Watanabe swiped home during the sequence to cap the inning and extend the lead to 3–0.

In the bottom of the fifth, with one out and a runner on second, junior shortstop Elijah Ickes dropped a single into left-center, scoring senior center fielder Ben Zeigler-Namoa from second to make it 4–0.

Hoffman continued his stellar night in the eighth, shooting a single up the middle with two outs to score Redding from second and push the lead to 6–2.

Along with the bats, Hawai‘i’s pitching staff delivered a strong outing. Junior starter Hekili Robello tossed six scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out five to earn his fifth win of the season.

Replacing Robello in the seventh, senior reliever Saul Soto surrendered a run but limited the damage, striking out one in his inning of work.

To close it out, senior closer John Alkire II allowed four hits and a run while striking out three, guiding the Rainbow Warriors to the win.

“There are so many external factors working at the same time,” head coach Rich Hill said of his closer. “He’s got a slow heartbeat out of the stretch. I’m sure he’s not pleased with his performance and he wants to get out there tomorrow.”

Hawai‘i (14–11, 4–7 Big West) continues the series against Cal State Fullerton (12–14, 6–5 BW) in the finale at 1:00 p.m. Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium.