Despite an early elimination from the NAPA Auto Parts Western Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament it hosted, the University of Hawai'i covered its expenses, the school said yesterday.

UH officials said the four-day tournament took in $73,912 in ticket revenue, $412 more than it pledged in bidding to bring the event to Les Murakami Stadium.

"It appears they covered their commitment," said WAC commissioner Karl Benson.

UH's bid was for $64,000 but the school said the additional expense of having an ambulance on stand-by for the tournament that was not originally foreseen, raised the requirement to $73,500.

"My guess is that we covered all of our expenses," said UH athletic director Jim Donovan.

Attendance for the double-elimination tournament was 6,729 despite UH's exit after three games. Opening night drew 2,578 while the Sunday championship round that saw Fresno State beat New Mexico State drew 526.

"We wanted to have a good experience for our (athletes) and teams," Benson said. "For our purposes, it was a great venue and a great championship."

Under terms of the agreement, the $412 profit goes to the conference as do WAC merchandise sales. UH receives concessions revenue.

The next three baseball tournaments are scheduled for a neutral site, HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz., spring training home of the Chicago Cubs.

Meanwhile, in other UH baseball news, the school said the 2009 season (not including WAC Tournament) produced a 39 percent increase in attendance and an "estimated $100,000 more in total ticket and concession revenue" over the previous season.

UH said it took in $294,963 in home ticket revenue and averaged 1,925 fans through the turnstiles. Despite the increase, UH is still expected to show at least a $400,000 loss.

Donovan said, "I believe our baseball program has the capability of breaking even. That really should be our long-term goal."