Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (24-13, 8-5 WAC) defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs (17-25, 5-8 WAC) 4-2 in front of a crowd of 2,248 at Pete Beiden Field Friday. Ricky Bauer (7-2) gave up just two runs in 7.1 innings for the win. Darrell Fisherbaugh picked up his fifth save of the year while Michael Cooper (2-7) took the loss for the Bulldogs.

All of UH's starting batters got at least one hit in the game. Gregory Kish went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and one RBI before leaving the game with a sprained left ankle. Brian Finegan, Jaziel Mendoza and Rocky Russo added two-hit performances while Andrew Sansaver hit just his second career home run. Isaac Omura extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a 1-for-4 game with one run.

The `Bows stranded a huge opportunity in the top of the first as they loaded the bases with just one out before Cooper struck out the final two batters, leaving Hawai`i with the bases loaded and no runs. But UH was able to get ahead in the top of the third as Mendoza drove in Kish to get the first run of the game.

Kish then drove in another run in the top of the fourth on a run-scoring infield single. On the play, Kish was hit in the helmet by the throw from the Bulldog thirdbaseman on the way to first base and went down with what turned out to be a sprained left ankle.

Sansaver then hit his first home run of the year in the top of the seventh, a two-run shot to centerfield, pushing the Rainbow lead to 4-0.

The Bulldogs started to chip away at the Hawai`i lead as Brandon Esparza homered in the bottom of the seventh and Brandon Marcelli hit a run-scoring single in the eighth, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

But the Rainbow defense came up big to control the rally in the eighth as Matthew Inouye, Finegan and Creighton Kahoalii came together for a 8-6-2 play at the plate saving a run.

Fisherbaugh did the rest, as he gave up just one hit with three strikeouts as the 'Bows put it away 4-2.

The 'Bows and 'Dogs will continue their series tomorrow with a 6:30 p.m. game at Beiden Field. Stephen Bryant will start for UH against Fresno State's Matt Garza.

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