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Box Score (HTML)LONG BEACH, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (17-26, 8-9 Big West) clinched the series victory over Long Beach State (23-19, 8-9 Big West) on Saturday at Blair Field in a shutout victory. Starter
Tyler Brashears and closer
Quintin Torres-Costa mirrored their last collaboration, protecting a slim advantage to hold on for the 1-0 victory.
Billed as a pitcher's duel, Saturday's Big West tilt lived up to the hype, as the starters quelled opposing offenses fully until Hawai'i broke through in the fourth. In that frame, designated hitter
Alex Sawelson led off with a double to left field, and first baseman
Eric Ramirez followed with a base knock of his own. Catcher
Chayce Ka'aua made it count for the 'Bows, bringing in Sawelson with a sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run.
The pitchers gutted it out over the next five frames, with LBSU starter Chris Mathewson eventually yielding to Austin McGeorge in the ninth, after loading the bases in the eighth. The reigning Big West Pitcher of the Week, Brashears went eight (8.0) innings with only four hits allowed, but head coach
Mike Trapasso was taking no chances. Hawai'i went to the relief ace, Torres-Costa, to shut the door in the final inning, securing the win on a double play and a fly out for the 1-0 final.
Across his eight innings, Brashears (7-4) walked a pair and struck out three (3), extending his scoreless streak to 20.2 innings. Torres-Costa earned his sixth save—second of the weekend—for his one frame of action. That's now 11 straight games without a run allowed for the UH redshirt sophomore.
Taking the loss after eight (8.0) innings, Mathewson allowed six (6) hits and a run, with eight (8) strikeouts.
At the plate, Ka'aua was clutch, recording the lone RBI of the day, also hitting his ninth double of the year as well. The rookie backstop was also key on defense, picking off a pair of base thieves, including a crucial out in the eighth. Shortstop
Jacob Sheldon-Collins went 3-for-4 to lead Hawai'i
The Rainbow Warriors and Dirtbags return to action on Sunday, with Hawai'i looking for the sweep. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. PT (10:00 a.m. HT) at Blair Field. The finale will be broadcast on NBC Sports Hawai'i 1500 AM with Mel Proctor on the call.
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