Jan. 31, 2002
Hilo, Hawaii - Hawaii-Hilo scored six times in the sixth inning to erase a two-run San Diego State lead as the Vulcans defeated the Aztecs 8-4 at Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo Thursday night. The win was the first in 12 games this season for UHH (1-10-1) and ended a 31-game losing streak that dated back to April 7 of last year. For the Aztecs, it marked the sixth consecutive year in which they have dropped their season opener.
After both sides sailed through the first two innings, SDSU opened the scoring in the third, getting a two-out RBI single from Carlo Cota to drive in Chad Redfern, who had opened the inning with a double. It was the first of two singles for Cota on the night. The lead was short-lived, however, as Hilo answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by first baseman Keola Park.
The Aztecs regained the lead in the fourth, courtesy of the Vulcan defense. Jon Stephens and Chad Corona reached base on errors by UHH third baseman Johnny Dudoit and shortstop Daniel Lockett. With two outs, Aztec right fielder Chad Redfern hit a ball to deep center field that Hilo's Kaliko Oligo chased down, but allowed to bounce out of his glove for a two-base error. Stephens and Corona scored on the play to give SDSU a 3-2 advantage.
San Diego State added a run in the top of the sixth on a two-out single by catcher Josh Allen that brought home Stephens, who had doubled to start the inning. But things fell apart in the bottom of the frame as Hilo scored six times on three hits, three walks and a pair of SDSU errors.
Just as the seventh inning started, the rains came, causing a 30-minute delay as the field was cleared and the tarp rolled out. But the Aztecs were unable to regroup after play resumed, picking up just a pair of hits over the final three innings. One of those hits was a double by Corona, his second of the game as the sophomore third baseman finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Vulcan starting pitcher Jason Castro, who entered the contest with a record of 0-1 and a 9.00 earned run average, kept the Aztec hitters off balance all evening with a variety of breaking balls and off-speed pitches. Castro gave up four runs on the night (two earned) and did not walk a batter. On the other side, SDSU hurlers walked six, with four of those runners eventually scoring.
Junior Eric Human took the loss in relief his first appearance for San Diego State, coming on with two on and one out in the sixth and the Aztecs up 4-2. Junior Chris Dunwell was the opening-game starter for the Aztecs, going 5.1 innings and giving up three earned runs while walking three and striking out six. Senior Erik Fielder went the final 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit and a walk.
San Diego State and Hawaii-Hilo continue their five-game series Friday evening with a single game set for a 6:00 p.m. start. That contest can be heard live on the Internet at www.goaztecs.com with the pre-game show starting 10 minutes prior to game time (7:50 p.m. PST).
Hawai-Hilo 8, San Diego State 4SDS 001 201 000 - 4 8 3UHH 002 006 00x - 8 8 4Dunwell, Human (6), Harang (6), Fiedler (6) and Allen, Manfred (7)Castro, Suzuki (8) and SootoW - Castro (1-1)L - Human (0-1)Sv - NoneHR - NoneAtt. - 200