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LONG BEACH, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (16-26, 7-9 Big West) opened up the series at Long Beach State (23-18, 8-8 Big West) on a high note, battling back from an early deficit with timely hitting scattered across the final four frames to claim the win, 7-4, on Friday at Blair Field.
 
Early in Friday's pivotal conference series, the LBSU Dirtbags got the best of the Rainbow Warriors. A leadoff walk spelled trouble for starter LJ Brewster in the first, as Garrett Hampson reached base on balls, stole second and went on to score from third on a Luke Rasmussen RBI grounder for the early advantage.
 
After two empty frames, shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins got the 'Bows moving in the third via a one-out double, reaching third on a Stephen Ventimilia single. He came through the dish to tie the game at 1-1 on fielder's choice contact by right fielder Alan Baldwin.
 
After retiring six consecutive batters, Brewster found himself in a jam with the bases loaded, allowing consecutive singles and a walk with two outs. LBSU capitalized on the opportunity, retaking the lead at 3-1 off a two-run single to right field from Alex DeGoti.
 
The Rainbow Warriors cashed in on a walk of their own, with Baldwin getting aboard on balls with one out in the sixth. Moving over on a groundout, he scored from second on designated hitter Alex Sawelson's RBI single to the right center wall, trimming the LBSU lead to 3-2.
 
However, the Dirtbags took the run back in the bottom half, as Daniel Jackson led off with a single and came in for the 4-2 lead off of a Hampson RBI single, ending the day for Brewster, who yielded to Andrew Jones, closing out the frame. Jones kept the Dirtbags at bay through the seventh to give the offense time to come around.
 
Again the 'Bows trimmed a run, as catcher Chayce Ka'aua got UH going with a double deep down the left field line—his eighth of the year—later coming home on a bloop RBI single from third baseman Jonathan Weeks, the Long Beach native making the homecoming start.
 
After chipping away, the 'Bows finally tied it up in the eighth at 4-4, shifting the momentum. Baldwin got UH going with a single shot into left field, and divided the attention of LBSU reliever Austin McGeorge, as Eric Ramirez reached via walk. Going after a 3-1 count ball, Marcus Doi put a shot into right field, giving Baldwin ample opportunity to round third and score the tie run.
 
Ka'aua registered the biggest at-bat of the night, taking his own 3-1 pitch off Ty Provencher into center field, sending Ramirez home from second for the go-ahead run. However, Hawai'i wasn't done for the frame, adding another as Doi beat the throw at the plate to score on a Weeks RBI single, pushing UH ahead 6-4.
 
Quentin Torres-Costa entered in relief in the bottom of the eighth, holding LBSU in check to give the 'Bows an opportunity to advance their lead, as UH capped off its scoring with Ventimilia crossing the plate on Kaeo Aliviado's RBI single to right field, snapping a hitting drought with the insurance run.
 
Jones (1-3) earned the victory on 1.2 innings of work, allowing no hits or runs and striking out two (2). Torres-Costa picked up his fifth save, throwing the final two (2.0) frames, allowing one (1) hit and striking out three (3).
 
For LBSU, McGeorge (2-1) took the loss on 0.1 innings of work, allowing two (2) runs off one (1) hit, walking one (1) and striking out one (1).
 
At the plate, it was a happy homecoming for Weeks, who went 2-for-4 with two (2) RBI, While Baldwin also was 2-for-4 with one (1) RBI and two (2) runs scored, and  Ka'aua was 2-for-4 with one (1) RBI and one (1) run.
 
The Rainbow Warriors and Dirtbags return to action in game two on Saturday, with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m. PT (11:00 a.m. HT) at Blair Field. The game will be broadcast on the radio at ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM, again with Mel Proctor on the call.