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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A back-and-forth Big West Conference tilt between the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (18-22, 7-7 Big West) and the No. 16 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (28-10, 7-4 Big West) changed direction quickly in the late frames, as UCSB fired off three runs to break an eighth-inning tie en route to the 6-3 win, Saturday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

After two smooth innings to open the game, starter Kyle Von Ruden found some trouble, following a Clay Fisher third-inning leadoff single with a hit batter and consecutive walks to grant UCSB the 1-0 lead. An outfield fielder's choice extended the lead by a single run on the Austin Bush RBI before the 'Bows shut the door.

UH was quick in its response, as Marcus Doi capitalized on a Jacob Sheldon-Collins leadoff walk in the fourth, followed by a Kekai Rios single fired up the middle. The UH left fielder trimmed the UCSB lead to 2-1 with an RBI double down the right field line. A big hit by freshman followed to push the 'Bows out front, blooping a single into left field and scoring Rios and Doi for the 3-2 lead.

An immediate response arose from UCSB in the home half. Another leadoff single bit Hawai'i, as JJ Muno got aboard and stole second. He was able to come home for the tie unearned on a throwing error.

After a hot start, Saturday's game fell into deadlock across the next four innings, as Von Ruden fended off the Gauchos' offensive advances, while UCSB continued to get leadoff runners aboard. Facing reliever Lawrence Chew in the eighth, UCSB put the ultimate leadoff on the board to spark a big inning, as Devon Grover opened with a home run to left field to break the tie. Muno scored a second time on a wild pitch and an Andrew Calica sacrifice fly capped a three-run frame for UCSB before reliever Matt Valencia could halt the run.

The 'Bows left a man aboard in the ninth, unable to overcome the late deficit in the 6-3 loss, as UCSB moved ahead in the series, 2-0.

Chew (0-3) took the loss for UH after throwing 1.1 innings, giving three hits and two runs, walking one. Von Ruden went 6.0 innings, with six hits and three runs, striking out five and walking two.

Reliever Trevor Bettencourt (4-1) earned the win for UCSB, allowing one hit with a walk in 3.0 innings.

Eric Ramirez doubled twice to hit 2-for-4, while Sheldon-Collins was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored. Rios and Doi (1 RBI) each went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

The Gauchos and Rainbow Warriors return to action on Sunday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in the series finale. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. PT (10:00 a.m. HT).

 
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