Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (7-3) fell to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (2-1) 3-1 in the series opener at the Caesar Uyesaka Stadium Friday. UCSB's Steve Morlock (1-0) pitched a complete-game, allowing just three UH hits with nine strikeouts to earn the victory. Ian Harrington (2-2) took the loss for Hawai`i, allowing three runs on 6.0 innings.

Kris Sanchez extended his hitting streak to 14 games, going 1-for-3 with one RBI. Jorge Franco was the only other Rainbow able to get to Morlock, going 2-for-4.

UCSB got on the scoreboard early in their home-opener, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sanchez would give the Rainbows their first run, driving in Jonathan Hee in the top of the fourth to cut the UH deficit to 2-1.

The Gauchos responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth, extending their advantage to 3-1. That was more than enough for Morlock, who retired the final 17 'Bows that he faced, giving UCSB the 3-1 victory.

The Rainbows and Gauchos continue their series tomorrow at 1 p.m. (PST). Mark Rodrigues will pitch for Hawai`i against UCSB's Jeff Braun.

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