Sean Nearhoof doesn’t want to be that guy. The one who tries so hard to make the big play that he fails to deliver the small one and costs his team.
Sean Nearhoof doesn’t want to be that guy. The one who tries so hard to make the big play that he fails to deliver the small one and costs his team.
Nearhoof was just as happy Friday night, when he drove in a run with groundout and aided the go-head rally in the eighth by being plunked in a victory against Holy Names, as he was Saturday night, when he hit a pair of run-scoring singles in forging a three-hit game as the Vulcans split another doubleheader at Wong Stadium.
When it comes to performing in the clutch, coach Kallen Miyataki says Nearhoof is that guy – the junior catcher is the one the second-year coach counts on for leadership, and it’s easy to see why.
“Through high school, I’ve always been in situations where I was trying to not take it into my own hand,” Nearhoof said. “Just fundamentals, bunting, stuff like that.
“Definitely here, I’ve noticed coming up to the plate in clutch situations, I’ve been able to come through a lot. Even if it’s a simple thing like a guy is on third base, hit a ball to third and get a run in there. I’ve been definitely blessed that I’ve been able to come up clutch in a lot of situations.”
Through nine games, Nearhoof sees the Vulcans (4-5, 2-2 Pacific West Conference) as team that’s improved offensively – both from the power and situational hitting standpoints – but one that still needs to clean up its act in the field.
Three errors contributed to the Vulcans 10-3’ loss in the first game Saturday, and they made two more in the nightcap, a 5-2 win behind the arm of Eric Vega.
“I think usually you’re going to win games by the fundamentals, and not by the ESPN,” Nearhoof said. “What I mean by that is making the fundamentals plays. We don’t need to make the special plays, those are nice when they happen. But if we make fundamental plays the whole game than there is not going to be an issue. If they beat us with the bats, so be it.”
Vega made sure that didn’t happen against the Hawks (10-6, 2-2).
Staying on the outer half with his cutter, the freshman right-hander allowed 10 hits but only two runs – one earned – with four strikeouts. Michael Slifer worked around a walk and an error in the seventh and got five outs for his first save.
“Eric was confident and came at guys,” Nearhoof said.
A recent PacWest Newcomer of the Week selection, Vegas (1-0) hasn’t walked a batter in 12 1/3 innings and has allowed on one earned run as UH-Hilo’s fourth starter.
Miyataki can reset his rotation if he chooses when Fresno Pacific (9-4, 0-2) visits Wong for 4 p.m. doubleheaders Wednesday and Thursday, and he hopes the Sunbirds don’t have player that punishes his pitchers the way Holy Names’ Benjamin Gamba did.
Gamba got to Vega for three hits after going 4 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs in the opener. In the four-game series, the junior finished with 12 hits.
“He killed us,” Miyataki said. “Gamba is the guy that we couldn’t figure out. He hit all the mistake pitches.
“Hopefully, we can start to make some plays behind our pitchers.”
The skipper went through five pitchers in the first game Saturday. Jordan Kumasaka (0-1) started and took the loss, allowing six hits and three runs – one earned – with two walks in 3 2/3 innings.
Waiakea graduate Korin Medeiros entered hitting .379 with four extra-base hits, but he went hitless for the first time this season, and Miyataki said the sophomore sat out the second game with shoulder stiffness.
“I’m pleased the way he’s coming along,” Miyataki said. “Hopefully down the road he’ll get more confident and play even better.”
Miyataki said before his debut campaign in 2014 that he wanted to build his program locally, and he’s liked what’s seen so far from Medeiros, junior Keenan Nishioka and redshirt freshman Jonathan Segovia.
Nishioka, a former Hilo Viking, and freshman Phillip Steering share the duties at first base and designated hitter, while Segovia, a former Keaau Cougar, has begun to feel more comfortable when he sees time in center field.
“(Segovia) didn’t do as well as we thought he was going to do against Menlo,” Miyataki said, “but we’re proud of the way he’s come back.”
While Steering had a pair of multihit games Saturday for the Vulcans, leadoff-hitting second baseman Byron Freitas went a combined 3 for 7 to raise his average to .393. Right behind him in the lineup, senior baseman Sam Kim is hitting .344.