Box Score | Box Score (pdf) | Photo Gallery | VIDEO: Sights and Sounds at Les Murakami Stadium | Game Highlights (courtesy of OC Sports)

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors baseball squad battled back from an early deficit in the home opener against New Mexico, but a final-frame rally came up short with the tying run on base in the 6-4 loss to the Lobos at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Lobos jumped out front early as a first-inning walk came back to haunt starting pitcher Brendan Hornung. UNM third baseman Carl Stajduhar capitalized on the baserunner, firing an RBI double deep into the left center gap to bring home second baseman Michael Eaton for the 1-0 advantage.

The junior right-hander again found some trouble in the second inning, allowing first baseman Jack Zoellner to score from third on a wild pitch. The Lobos made it three straight with a high home run beyond the left field wall by second baseman Michael Eaton to open the third frame.
Hornung settled in and stopped the Lobos in the fourth, before yielding to left-handed reliever Lawrence Chew in the fifth in a jam. Chew locked up the final out with no damage.

Facing a three-run deficit, the 'Bows responded in the bottom of the fifth, sparked by single from third baseman Johnny Weeks, who moved across as center fielder Matt LoCoco coaxed out a walk. Shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins made the efforts count, trimming the UNM lead to a single score on a two-run double deep to outer left field.

Chew held the Lobos into the seventh, when pinch hitter Dan Collier slipped a two-run single up the middle to rebuild the UNM lead to 5-2. The Lobos chipped in another run in the top of the ninth off reliever Cody Culp.

The 'Bows made their move in the bottom of the ninth, as right fielder/catcher Alan Baldwin reached first on a single up the middle and advanced on an outfield error, and later moved to third on a wild pitch. LoCoco hit his second triple in as many games to bring Baldwin home and scored on a Sheldon-Collins RBI groundout. First baseman Eric Ramirez and designated hitter Alex Fitchett collected consecutive walks, but New Mexico closer Victor Sanchez drew a check-swing from Marcus Doi for the final strike of the night, halting the UH comeback and securing the 6-4 final and his 14th career save.

For UH, Hornung (0-2) takes the loss, completing 4.2 innings with three runs on five hits, striking out six and walking four. UNM starter Carson Schneider (1-0) claimed the win, throwing 5.0 innings with two runs on four hits, striking out two and walking three.

The Rainbow Warriors reached double-digit hitting for the second straight game, garnering 10 hits versus UNM's 11. Baldwin hit 2-for-4, scoring one run, while Sheldon-Collins was 2-for-5 with three RBI.

The Rainbow Warriors and Lobos return to action on Saturday evening at Les Murakami Stadium in the second contest of the four-game set at 6:35 p.m.