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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (14-23, 5-6 Big West) baseball squad picked up another Big West victory on Saturday (April 18) night at Les Murakami Stadium, moving to a 2-0 advantage in the series with Cal State Northridge (CSUN) Matadors (22-15, 2-9 Big West). Just as in the series opener, defense ruled the day—and just as in game one, the Hawai'i pitching staff was up to the challenge, aided by additional run support in the 3-1 victory.

The Rainbow Warriors went to work early on arguably CSUN's best pitcher, Jerry Keel, who allowed the first two Hawai'i hitters on base; second baseman Stephen Ventimilia by single to third and right fielder Alan Baldwin via bunt single. Two batters later, designated hitter Alex Sawelson cashed in Ventimilia for the game's first run and his first RBI of the series, belting a single to the right center gap. First baseman Eric Ramirez shot the left side for an RBI single, and Baldwin crossed the plate to extend the 'Bows lead to 2-0 after one complete.

UH starter Tyler Brashears started out a gem of an outing with two scoreless innings, but the Matadors capitalized on a Justin Toerner one-out single, bringing him home to narrow the lead to a single run on a Nolan Bumstead RBI single to right center in the third.

After the rare rocky start, Keel settled in, keeping the Rainbow Warriors off the scoreboard for four innings, despite runners in three of those frames. In the sixth, the 'Bows finally broke through again for an insurance run. With UH driving Keel's pitch count near the century mark, left fielder Marcus Doi opened with a walk, moved over on a sacrifice bunt, and scored from third on a Ventimilia single deep into the six-hole, pushing the lead out to 3-1.

Across the final three innings, it was all defense for tonight's game, with CSUN reliever's Connor O'Neil and Nick Viola holding up the 'Bows, while Brashears nearly finished what he started, only yielding to Quintin Torres-Costa in the ninth.

Torres-Costa struck out two Matadors, including a three-pitch final out to shut the book on the 3-1 victory and earn his second save of the series, third of the season. The redshirt sophomore has struck out seven (7) in his last five innings, only allowing two (2) hits.

Brashears (5-4) earns the victory after pitching eight (8.0) innings, allowing nine (9) hits and one (1) run, but striking out six (6) and issuing no walks.
For the Matadors, Keel (4-4) takes the loss, going six (6.0) innings, allowing five (5) hits and three (3) runs, striking out four (4) and walking six (6).

At the plate, Ventimilia paced UH with a 2-for-3 performance, including a run and an RBI. Sawelson and Ramirez each went 1-for-4 with an RBI apiece. Like game one, a stand-out defensive performance deserves notice, as catcher Chayce Ka'aua picked off two (2) would-be base thieves, nearly nabbing a third who was called safe on a tight play.

With the victory, the Rainbow Warriors clinch the series with a 2-0 lead, moving ahead to Sunday's finale with CSUN. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m., with radio broadcast airing on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM.