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HONOLULU – Stephen Ventimilia had two hits and two runs but it wasn't enough as the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior baseball team squandered a five-run lead and lost 8-6 to UC Riverside on Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium.

Juliene Jones (0-2) suffered the loss in three innings of relief work. He gave up two unearned runs but became the pitcher of record after taking over for Scott Kuzminsky in the fifth inning of a tie ballgame.

Dylan Stuart (3-0) pitched to the minimum in five and two-thirds innings of relief work to earn the win. He entered the game in the fourth inning and halted what looked to be a blowout by the 'Bows.

Joe Chavez and David Andriese each had two hits and two runs for UCR (26-27, 12-11 Big West) with Chavez adding one RBI.

The 'Bows scored early and often, plating two runs in the first and another three in the second. Marc Flores's two-run hit in the first inning scored Ventimilia and Kaeo Aliviado (1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI) to put UH up 2-0.

Hawai'i (21-31, 5-18 Big West) added three more runs in the second inning. After LJ Brewster (1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) doubled home a run, Aliviado drove a Zach Varela pitch through the left side of the infield to score Brewster and Kalei Hanawahine (2-2, 1 R) and extend UH's lead to 5-1.

The 'Bows added another run in the fourth inning but the tide turned quickly when UCR scored five runs in the fifth. Chavez kick-started the inning with an RBI double as the Highlanders took a lead they would not give up.

The 'Bows will play their season finale when they square off with the Highlanders on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m.