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Game Highlights (Courtesy of OC Sports TV)

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (7-14) baseball team fell to the New Mexico State Aggies (3-15-1) in Thursday's (March 19) series opener, 6-5, after surrendering a four-run advantage late in the game at Les Murakami Stadium.

Although the Rainbow Warriors made quick strikes early, it took until the third inning to notch a run on the scoreboard, as freshman first baseman Eric Ramirez got the 'Bows going with an RBI double into the left center alley. Making his first appearance since February 15, designated hitter Marcus Doi chipped in a sacrifice fly to scratch Ramirez across, and UH left the third frame with a 2-0 lead.

Meeting the third Aggies pitcher of the night, catcher Chayce Ka'aua led off the sixth with a double and came home just four pitches later, scoring from second on an error via NMSU third baseman Derek Umphres' missed throw during Jacob Sheldon-Collins' sacrifice bunt attempt. Alex Sawelson added another sac fly and it was a 4-0 advantage for the 'Bows after six complete.

The Bows' earned hits in five of six innings, but were blanked in the seventh and stranded a pair in the eighth, missing on the chance to tack up some insurance runs.

With top closer Cody Culp in place, taking over for starter LJ Brewster after seven (7.0) complete innings of work, uncharacteristic events followed. Catcher Brent Hermanussen squared a leadoff single, and pinch hitter Cameron Haskins quickly narrowed the lead with a two-run homer beyond the right field fence.

With no offensive response from the 'Bows in the bottom half, the Aggies returned to face Culp in the ninth, collecting three singles with just a single out, sending UH to the bullpen for Andrew Jones. Despite striking out the first Aggie he face and taking the next to a 1-2 count, Jones allowed starting pitcher Michael Paulson to send a two-run single into left center to knot the game at 4-4.

After a walked batter reloaded the bases, the Aggies capitalized, as Dan Kennon singled up the middle for two more runs, taking NMSU to its first lead at 6-4.
In the bottom half, center fielder Kaeo Aliviado sparked a two-out rally with an RBI triple deep into right center to score Sheldon-Collins, but a full count groundout for JJ Kitaoka would put the comeback loss to bed in the series opener.

In total, the 'Bows collected eight (8) hits, with nine (9) walks and one (1) hit batter, stranding 15 men on base. The Aggies also left 13 of their own on the base path, tallying 15 hits.

Culp (0-2) takes the loss for Hawai'i through 1.1 innings on the hill, allowing five (5) hits and five (5) earned runs, striking out a pair. The starter, Brewster, allowed no runs and eight (8) hits through seven innings of action, striking out five (5) and walking five (5) others.

NMSU's sixth pitcher of the night, Matt Stein (1-0), earned the win on just 0.1 innings and three pitches on the mound. The seventh Aggie to take the mound, Billy Conard (1), earned the save in the ninth, allowing one (1) hit and one (1) run, walking one (1) and striking out another.

At the plate, Ramirez went 2-for-4 with one (1) run scored and one (1) RBI. Sawelson also went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Sheldon-Collins was 1-for-3, scoring two (2) runs.

The series continues on Friday (March 20) at 6:35 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium, and will be televised live on OC Sports, with the UH radio broadcast appearing on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM.