HONOLULU, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Warriors took both ends of a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against the Illinois State Redbirds, winning the opener 7-3, before taking the evening game of the series 7-6.
John Rave led the Redbirds by going 4-of-8 at the plate on the day with two runs scored and two RBI's. Collin Braithwaite drove in three, as Rave and Joe Butler each scored twice on the day.
Hawai'I started the opening game with a bang, as a three-run double staked the hosts to a quick lead. The Warriors added to their lead with a four-run sixth inning, pushing ahead to a 7-0 lead headed to the bottom of the seventh inning.
Facing their final at-bats of the game in the seven-inning opening game of the day, Joe Butler doubled home Jordan Libman and Bryce Grimm, cutting the deficit to 7-2. A batter later, John Rave singled home Butler, giving the game its 7-3 final score.
The Redbirds answered when Joe Aeilts opened the fifth inning with a single through the left side, before he was pushed to second on a sacrifice bunt by Derek Parola. Libman followed with a single to center field, scoring Aeilts and knotting the score at one run apiece.
Rave went 2-4 in the loss for the Redbirds, and was the only player on the squad with multiple hits. Butler drove in two runs, as three of the team's five hits were for extra bases. Brent Headrick picked up the loss, striking out one over five and a third inning of work, giving up four runs while allowing three walks.
In the afternoon finale the Redbirds jumped on the scoreboard quickly with a two-run double off of the bat of Braithwaite that scored Rave and Owen Miller. Aeilts followed with a run scoring single that scored Braithwaite. Later in the inning, Jack Butler singled home Nick Zouras to put the Redbirds ahead 4-0.
The Redbirds added to their lead with a run in the fourth inning when Braithwaite hit his second double of the day, chasing home Rave, and putting the visitors on the scoreboard ahead 5-0 after four innings.
Hawai'i fought back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, and then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with four runs, three on a bases-loaded RBI double off the bat of Johnny Weeks.
Illinois State tied the score in the top of the eighth inning when Joe Butler opened the inning with a walk, and was pushed to third on a Bryce Grimm single two batters later. Rave then followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Butler and tying the score at six runs apiece.
The Warriors took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly, giving the game its 7-6 final score.
Colton Johnson picked up a no-decision after pitching the first four innings of the game, striking out four batters while walking four and giving up two runs, none of them earned.
The Redbirds return to action on Tuesday, March 20, when Illinois State hosts Illinois in their home opener, with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.
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