Cal Poly Dominates Hawai’i: 12-5 Victory Sets Up Thrilling Rubber Match
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — In an electrifying showdown on the diamond, Cal Poly showcased its offensive power with a resounding **12-5 victory** over Hawai’i, evening their Big West baseball series at Baggett Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
Castellon Shines Bright: A Triple Threat
Shortstop Nate Castellon was nothing short of spectacular, driving in **three runs** with a commanding performance that included a single, a double, and a glorious home run. Castellon’s **RBI single** in the first inning made waves, capping off an impressive four-run rally. His run-scoring double in the third pushed Cal Poly to a **5-2 lead**, and a solo home run in the seventh rounded out a five-run Mustang surge, marking his fifth game of three or more hits this season.
Hoiland’s Power Adds Spark
Designated hitter Cam Hoiland joined the fray with a solo blast in the sixth, his fourth this season, as Cal Poly racked up **double-digit hits** for the 21st time in their last 26 games and notched double-figure runs for the 11th time this season. With this victory, both teams now approach the series finale with **identical 24-9 overall records**.
Big West Standings Shake-Up
Cal Poly’s triumph not only evened the series but also allowed them to reclaim sole possession of first place in the Big West at **13-1**, as UC Irvine suffered a setback against UC Davis. Meanwhile, Hawai’i dropped to fourth place with a **10-7 conference record**.
Mound Performance: Volmerding and Downs’ Masterclass
On the mound for Cal Poly, sophomore lefty Josh Volmerding delivered a solid performance, yielding just two runs across **4 2/3 innings** while striking out four batters. Although Volmerding didn’t qualify for the win, his effort paved the way for sophomore teammate Chris Downs, who recorded his fourth victory of the season, allowing only two runs over **3 1/3 innings** without issuing a single walk.
Hawai’i’s Struggles on the Mound
The setback for Hawai’i can be attributed to senior right-hander Liam O’Brien (2-2), who surrendered four runs without recording an out in the first inning. The Mustangs capitalized on an early **walk fest**, with all four batters drawing walks, scoring on a bases-loaded walk from Jack Collins, along with a sacrifice fly by Casey Murray Jr., Castellon’s infield single, and Hoiland’s RBI single.
Explosive Offense and Player Highlights
Cal Poly continued to add to their lead with a run in the third inning from Castellon’s double and another in the sixth from Hoiland’s homer. The game broke open dramatically with five runs in the seventh, particularly highlighted by Ryan Fenn‘s RBI single, Murray’s second sacrifice fly, and Castellon’s mighty homer.
The Hitting Streak Continues
Alejandro Garza kept his hitting streak alive at an impressive **16 games**, adding another single in the seventh and driving in a run in the eighth. Garza’s performance during this stretch has been staggering, hitting .408 with multiple hits in **six of his last seven games**.
Looking Forward: The Decisive Sunday Clash
Cal Poly will look to continue their momentum into Sunday’s **1 PM rubber match**, featuring sophomore right-hander Ethan Marmie (4-2) against Hawai’i’s freshman righty Cooper Walls (2-1, 2.70 ERA). With both teams prepared and eager for the decisive game, fans should expect another thrilling display of collegiate baseball.
As the Mustangs continue to build on their remarkable **23-4 record in their last 27 games**, their recent surge has earned them an **RPI of 19**, making this rubber match a must-watch event for baseball enthusiasts.
For more details on upcoming games and player stats, visit the official Cal Poly Baseball Schedule.
