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HILO, Hawai'i – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors opened the 2016 campaign on the Big Island with a tough 1-0 loss at neighboring UH-Hilo on Saturday night at Francis Wong Stadium, after an outstanding individual performance by UHH pitcher Jordan Kurokawa.

Living up to his billing and validating the scouts in attendance to see him work, Kurokawa pitched a gem in the season opener for both programs, throwing a complete game two-hit shutout for the win, recording seven strikeouts on 109 pitches. This was the second straight complete game performance for the Honolulu native.

The 'Bows threatened early, leaving four men on base across the contest. In the third, UH appeared to make its move, as right fielder Alan Baldwin lined a single to left center and center fielder Matt LoCoco beat the infield throw to the bag for a base hit. However, both were left aboard as the frame closed and UHH halted the 'Bows offense.

The game remained scoreless into the seventh, when the Vulcans made their push, putting the first run on the board as right fielder Jonathan Segovia capped a loop RBI single over the left side, bringing in shortstop Edison Sakata for the 1-0 advantage. Although the Vulcans threatened for more, junior Casey Ryan relieved UH starter Brendan Hornung, fanning the final batter to get out of the jam.

The single run proved to be enough, as Kurokawa held the Rainbow Warriors without a runner across the final two innings.

For UH, Hornung (0-1) takes the loss in his debut, throwing 6.2 innings with three strikeouts, allowing eight hits and issuing two walks. Ryan recorded two strikeouts and allowed no hits across his first 1.1 innings of action.

LoCoco and Baldwin accounted for both UH hits and LoCoco earned a leadoff walk in the sixth.

The loss accounts for the second consecutive UH-Hilo win in the series, last meeting in 2008 in Honolulu, and the Vulcans trim the Rainbow Warrior series lead to 108-21 and 46-8 in Hilo.

The teams return to action on Sunday at Wong Stadium, with first pitch slated for 1:00 pm.