Box Score | Box Score (pdf)

MORAGA, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors baseball squad (4-5) closed out the neutral site series versus San Francisco (1-8) on Sunday at Saint Mary's College's Louis Guisto Field, fighting off the Dons' extra-inning rally with timely hitting after succumbing to the ninth-inning USF comeback to tie.

After going 22 consecutive innings with a runner on base, the Dons snapped the string in the opening inning, putting UH away in order. However, the 'Bows didn't stay down for long, with third baseman Johnny Weeks providing the game's first base hit to lead off the third. Moved over by designated hitter Connor Linebarger's sacrifice bunt, Weeks cashed in for the early lead on catcher Kekai Rios' RBI single to left field. Shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins rewarded Rios, following with a looped RBI single into right center.

UH tacked on one more to make the four-hit, three-run inning, as Sheldon-Collins stole second and took third on a wild pitch, crossing the dish on a double by right fielder Alex Fitchett for the 3-0 advantage.

After logging a pair of two-out runners in consecutive innings, the Dons eventually reached the board in the fifth, as Nico Giarratano logged an RBI single up the middle. An infield error extended the inning, allowing Giarratano and Blake Valley to tie the game at 3-3.

Not an immediate response, but the 'Bows countered in the seventh, as Fitchett capitalized on a bases loaded situation with an RBI walk for the go-ahead run at 4-3.

The Dons again knotted the score, at 4-4, Giarratano logging a two-out single in the seventh, coming home on a Valley sacrifice fly.

Rios and Weeks added walks in the eighth, producing two USF pitching changes and setting up center fielder Matt LoCoco for a crucial two-out double to left field, bringing both runners home and pushing UH ahead 6-4.

First baseman Eric Ramirez set the table for the third straight scoring inning in the ninth, while second baseman Josh Rojas made it a reality, batting in the insurance run on a clutch two-out, two-run double down the right field line for the 7-4 advantage into the final regulation frame.

That's when things got suspenseful for the Rainbow Warriors and the extra score came in handy, as Matt Sinatro and Harrison Bruce both reached base, while a Giarratano RBI double ended the afternoon for right-handed junior reliever Isaac Friesen. Facing junior right-hander Kyle Mitchell, Valley knotted the score up with an RBI single to right field, the tie run coming across on a fielding error to make the game 7-7.

The 'Bows forced four USF pitching changes to start up the extra inning, getting the job done offensively. Pinch hitter Alex Sawelson led off with a single to right center, and Rios followed with a bunt for a base hit. Sheldon-Collins proceeded to load the bases with a left field single and Ramirez cashed in the go-ahead scores, firing a two-run double down the right field line, pushing UH ahead 9-7.

Tension ran high in the bottom half, as the Dons got two runners aboard against right-handed reliever Josh Pigg. Making his first appearance of the series, left-handed senior Matt Valencia pulled Hawai'i out of the fire after loading the bases on a walk, striking out Giarratano on three pitches and inducing a controversial groundout to shortstop to secure the 9-7 victory.

With the rubber game win, the Rainbow Warriors claim the series victory, 2-1, after claiming the series opener on Friday, 11-3. Across the three games, UH batted .351 and tallied 24 runs and 40 hits.

Valencia earned his first save of the year, while Mitchell (1-0) picked up the win, throwing 0.2 innings with a hit and a walk. Starter Alex Hatch went 6.1 innings, giving eight hits with two earned runs, walking one and striking out five.

At the plate, Rios put the exclamation point on an outstanding series so early in his freshman season. The rookie hit 3-for-4 with a double and a walk, scoring four runs and batting in another. In the series, Rios batted .538 with four RBI and five runs, picking off a key runner in the eighth inning.
Sheldon-Collins hit 3-for-6 with one run and one RBI, while Ramirez was 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.

The Rainbow Warriors return to Honolulu and Les Murakami Stadium, opening up a month-long 18-game home stand with West Virginia coming to town for a four-game set, March 3-6. The Mountaineers (5-1) are off to a hot start, completing a three-game sweep at UNLV on Sunday.