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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior baseball team (6-6) went to work on offense early in Saturday's non-conference tilt with the West Virginia Mountaineers (6-3), providing solid run support for yet another superb pitching performance to pull ahead in the series after the 6-2 win at Les Murakami Stadium.

West Virginia looked to have the upper hand in the first, leading off with a first-pitch double. However, left-handed starter Alex Hatch pitched his way out of danger, capping the effort with consecutive strikeouts and setting the tone for another strong outing for the Lynwood, Wash. senior.

Shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins sparked the 'Bows in the bottom half, extending his hitting streak to 11 games with a shot through the left side. The senior stole second base and moved over on a failed pickoff at first that hit runner Eric Ramirez. UH reached the scoreboard in the opening frame, as he scored from third on a fielder's choice by right fielder Alex Fitchett.

After a five-pitch top half to the second, third baseman Johnny Weeks got aboard on a one-out single, tagged second on a WVU balk and reached third on a wild pitch. Second baseman Josh Rojas' long fly to right field gave Weeks plenty of time to trot in for the 2-0 UH lead on the sacrifice fly.

Following a second five-pitch inning for WVU, Sheldon-Collins set the scene for the 'Bows with a two-out bunt, catching the Mountaineers out of position for the base hit, then heading to second on a passed ball. Ahead in the count, Ramirez skied a ball high and deep to right field, and the crowd's anticipation was warranted, as the ball sailed beyond the wall for the sophomore first baseman's first career home run; the two-run shot put UH on top 4-0.

However, the Mountaineers collected a long ball of their own to reach the scoreboard in the sixth, as Kyle Davis pulled a 1-0 pitch to left field for the solo home run, trimming the UH advantage to 4-1.

The 'Bows responded in the bottom half of the inning, opening with Fitchett reaching base as a hit batter with one out and shifting to third on an Alex Sawelson double. UH took the run back as Fitchett crossed the plate on Weeks' RBI single to left field. Carrying the 5-1 advantage, UH ended WVU starter BJ Myers' day at the conclusion of the frame.

Opening up against reliever Shane Ennis in the seventh, the 'Bows drew three walks to load the bases with two outs. The next man up on the mound, Jackson Sigman, granted Fitchett a full count RBI walk to again extend the UH lead.

Working against Cody Culp in the eighth, the Mountaineers led off with a Darius Hill double and Jackson Cramer followed with an RBI single to right center. Again the 'Bows pitched their way out of a jam with limited damage, allowing only the single run.

With baserunners in the ninth, Culp yielded to left-hander Matt Valencia, who downed two consecutive batters to secure the 6-2 victory and claim a 2-1 lead in the series.

Making a career-long start, Hatch (1-1) earned his first career win, pitching 6.2 innings with only one earned run on five hits, walking none and striking out seven.

For WVU, Myers (2-1) took the loss after throwing 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs, walking one and striking out five. His relievers tallied no strikeouts, but walked five UH batters in two innings of action.

At the plate, Weeks was a perfect 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Sheldon-Collins went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Ramirez and Fitchett both tabbed two RBI, Ramirez going 1-for-2 and also scoring a run.

The Rainbow Warriors and Mountaineers return to action on Sunday in the series finale at 1:05 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium. UH currently holds a 2-1 lead in the set.