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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors baseball team (17-17, 6-3 Big West) dropped the series finale with Cal Poly (21-13, 4-2 Big West) on Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium, as the Mustangs built up a lead in the latter innings of the 5-2 loss.

Not only were the 'Bows battling Cal Poly, both teams fought off the elements throughout the afternoon, as continuous rains prevailed throughout the game, ranging from frequent Manoa mist to brief downpours. Opening up the third inning, the Mustangs coaxed out a leadoff full count walk, converting for the game's initial run, as Brett Binning scored on Kyle Marinconz' RBI groundout after moving to third on a wild pitch.

Starter Alex Hatch kept the Cal Poly batters in check for the next two frames while UH formulated some scoring offense. The 'Bows assumed the lead in the third after quickly tying the game on back-to-back hits, with designated hitter Chayce Ka'aua scoring on an Alex Fitchett RBI double. He later came home on an RBI grounder by center fielder Matt LoCoco, pushing ahead 2-1.

Extra base hits proved to be the killer for the 'Bows in Sunday's finale, as the Mustangs got started in the sixth, with Brett Barbier's RBI double sending Marinconz home after a one-out walk, tying the game. A second RBI two-bagger from John Schuktnecht granted Cal Poly the 3-2 advantage.

The Mustangs notched insurance runs in the seventh and eighth on RBI from Alex McKenna and Michael Sanderson, providing a three-run cushion for Cal Poly.
Across the next three innings, the 'Bows created opportunities, but couldn't bring four runners home to cut into the deficit. Down the stretch, Cal Poly closer Justin Calomeni allowed a leadoff single by Kekai Rios, but fanned the next three UH batters to secure his fifth save of the year.

Hatch (3-4) took the loss for the 'Bows, pitching 6.0 innings, giving five hits and three earned runs, walking two and striking out five.

For the Mustangs, starter Jared Zill (3-1) earned the win, throwing 6.2 innings with five hits and two earned runs, striking out four with a walk.

At the plate, LoCoco went 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. Fitchett was 1-for-3, adding an RBI and a run, drawing one walk. Rios was 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
With the loss, Cal Poly claimed the series victory, 2-1, after the 'Bows earned their lone win on opening night.

The Rainbow Warriors open up a two-week road swing next week in Southern California, opening up a three-game series on Friday at Cal State Northridge, then a lone non-conference game at Loyola Marymount on Monday. The CSUN Matadors are 22-13 and 1-8 in Big West play after taking a sweep from No. 13 UC Santa Barbara over the weekend.