Wildcat baseball opens season with 3 victories in Hawaii

Darrell Hussman Arizona Daily Wildcat

New head coach Jerry Stitt's team took the first three games of the four-game series outscoring the University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans 27-2 in those games. The last game of the series was plyaed late yesterday.

The 3-0 start is the Wildcats' best since 1992.

On Saturday, Arizona swept the doubleheader, 9-0 and 4-1. Four Arizona pitchers held the Vulcans to just ten hits, nine of which were singles, over the two games.

In the first game, Rob Shabansky (1-0) allowed just four hits over five innings for the win. He allowed just two walks while striking out six. He was replaced by sophomore Chet Hendersen, who pitched two hitless innings - college doubleheader games are pl ayed to seven innings - to preserve the shutout.

Diego Rico, junior Kenny Corley, senior Jeff Gjerde and sophomore Greg Clark each collected a pair of hits in the first game. Corley, Gjerde, Clark and junior Colin Porter also added two runs batted in apiece.

In the second game, sophomore lefthander James Johnson (1-0) pitched a gem, allowing only two hits in five innings, walking one and striking out four. Sophomore Ryan Moskau came in to pitch the final innings.

In a game where no one from each team had an extra base hit, junior shortstop Jake Thrower came through for the Wildcats, getting on base five times with two base hits and three walks. He also added an RBI and he scored a run.

In the season opener on Friday, UA rocked Vulcan starting pitcher Klayford Nakaahiki for six hits and seven runs in the first inning. Nakaahiki was unable to record an out in the inning before being replaced. Arizona finished with 19 hits, eight for extra bases.

Corley, Gjerde, Porter and Clark each recorded three hits. Clark and the Rico each belted home runs. Rico finished the day with two hits, three RBI and three runs scored.

Sophomore Darrell Hussman (1-0) scattered three hits over six innings for the victory. Hussman struck out seven and walked only one batter. Sophomore Scott Wood pitched the final three innings.

New pitching coach Bill Kinneberg certainly had lots to smile about. After three games, the team has a combined ERA of 0.72. Not bad for a team that finished the 1996 season with a team ERA of 7.40.

The Wildcats start their home season Friday against New Mexico at 2:30 at Sancet Field.