In a performance that will be remembered in University of Hawaii baseball lore, right-hander Isaiah Magdaleno delivered one of the program's most magical outings—and it all started with a pitch he's been throwing since childhood.
Three days after his dominant one-hit, 16-strikeout complete game against UC Riverside, Magdaleno was named the Golden Spikes Award/D1Baseball National Player of the Week, while also earning Big West Pitcher of the Week honors.
"I'm honored," said Magdaleno, who was quick to credit his coaches, teammates, and a devastating changeup that left hitters guessing all night.
Pitching coach Keith Zuniga praised the junior's preparation, noting that Magdaleno "had an excellent week of preparation" before taking the mound in front of a sold-out crowd. "When the 'Bows needed it the most, he went out and delivered, and saved the bullpen for the next two games," Zuniga added.
Magdaleno was nearly perfect, retiring the first 19 batters in order before issuing a walk in the seventh inning. In the ninth, a chopper over third base finally broke up the no-hit bid, but Magdaleno calmly retired the next two batters to seal the win—just the second complete game in Rich Hill's 253-game tenure as UH head coach.
The Los Angeles native was electric from the start, recording seven strikeouts in the first three innings and 11 through five. He threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the first 22 batters, relying primarily on a 92 mph fastball and a knee-buckling changeup that had hitters swinging at air.
"It's always been his pitch," Zuniga said of the changeup, which mirrors his fastball's arm speed and release point. "From the moment he showed up on campus (in August 2023), that's been his best pitch. ... Isaiah's known he's had a dominant changeup probably his entire life."
Magdaleno's journey with the pitch began in his youth, when he transitioned from a forkball grip to a changeup by applying pressure with his thumb and index finger. Through Little League and high school, it was his go-to weapon. Now, with a six-pitch arsenal that includes a slider, cutter, curveball, and sinker, he's become a complete pitcher.
"I guess it's been my pitch since I was young," Magdaleno said.
When he's dialed in and executing, as he was against UC Riverside, it's easy to see why this performance will be talked about for years to come.