UH-Hilo Pitching Duo Earns PacWest Baseball Weekly Awards
University of Hawai’i at Hilo pitchers Jordan Kurokawa and Eric Vega were recognized by the PacWest Conference for outstanding performances last week against Menlo College.
Kurokawa, a junior from Honolulu, was named the conference’s Co-Pitcher of the Week. He shared the award with Fresno Pacific’s Wilson Ashford.
In the nightcap of last Friday’s doubleheader against Menlo, Kurokawa struck out nine and allowed just two hits. He also hit one batter. The Vulcans won the seven-inning game by the score of 2-0.
Vega, a freshman from Covina, Calif., was named Newcomer of the Week for his strong start the next day against Menlo. In game one of a twinbill, Vega pitched seven innings, allowing one unearned run on six hits with six strikeouts.
The strong start would be washed away by a six-run eighth inning that ultimately led to a 15-inning thriller, won by Menlo by the score of 8-7.
UH-Hilo (2-3) lost the opening series of the season to Menlo, winning both of Friday’s games but losing the three other contests. The Vulcans return to the diamond on Feb. 27 to open a four-game PacWest series with Holy Names University.
The PacWest’s weekly awards covered games played between Feb. 9-15.