On March 13, 2024, the Hawaii baseball team opened its season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gonzaga at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu. In front of a sellout crowd of 3,136 fans, the game extended into 10 innings, culminating in a euphoric celebration following a throwing error that allowed Kody Watanabe to race home from second base.
With the teams tied at 2, Watanabe began the tenth inning with a single, pulling a slider past Gonzaga’s first baseman, Tommy Eisenstat. “I was only supposed to hit a fastball, but the slider was right there, and I couldn’t help myself,” said Watanabe, a transfer from San Francisco and an alumnus of ‘Iolani School. His single set the stage for the dramatic finish.
Following Watanabe’s hit, Ben Zeigler-Namoa contributed with a bloop single that fell between the left and center fielders due to the unpredictable Manoa winds. With Watanabe on second, shortstop Elijah Ickes met with head coach Rich Hill at third base. Ickes initially showed intent to bunt, prompting a strategic discussion with Hill. “If I see them crash, am I allowed to pull back?” Ickes recalled asking. Hill advised him to “use your eyes and be smart about it.”
Ickes executed the bunt towards third, sprinting to first base. The play took a turn when Gonzaga’s third baseman, Mikey Bell, misthrew the ball while attempting to force out Watanabe, allowing him to score. “We knew the (bunt) was going to happen,” Watanabe noted. “As soon as I saw the errant throw, I went home. It was more of an instinct thing.”
Ickes expressed his gratitude for the moment, saying, “I was trying to get to first, and I heard the crowd cheer. I looked around and saw Kody running home. It was an unreal experience, an unreal feeling.”
The victory was characterized by two run-scoring errors and an RBI groundout, sparking excitement among the home fans. “The Manoa Magic,” as Hill described it, was evident throughout the game. “You saw the bloop single. You saw the wind swirl early in the game, knocking down Zeigler-Namoa’s fly ball. Our fans are the best in the country. It does intimidate everybody.”
Pitching played a crucial role in Hawaii’s success. Starting pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno, who transitioned from closer last season, delivered a strong performance, allowing three hits and only one earned run over six innings. His 102 pitches marked the most in his three-season career at Hawaii. “It was good to get out there and get the first one out of the way,” Magdaleno said, adding that he gained better control of his breaking pitches as the game progressed.
With the score tied after Gonzaga’s Ryder Young hit a run-scoring single in the eighth inning, reliever John Alkire took the mound, managing to end the inning without allowing any further runs. Alkire, who had previously trained as a starter, expressed his eagerness to contribute in any role. “These are the experiences you dream of at night,” he stated. “It was awesome; the fans were great.”
Ultimately, Hawaii’s season opener showcased not only the team’s resilience but also the palpable energy of the home crowd, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
