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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors baseball team (19-26, 8-11 Big West) came up on the short end of a pitcher's duel, Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium, in the series opener with UC Riverside (21-25, 8-8). After pulling ahead in the middle innings, the Highlanders held off the 'Bows to deal UH the 2-1 loss.

The Highlanders were able to claim an early lead on a Colby Schultz RBI groundout in the fourth, after Thomas Walker notched a one-out single to set up the go-ahead run. UCR extended its lead in the sixth, using two one-out runners to pull ahead 2-0 on a Michael Farris RBI single to right field.

The 'Bows battled back in the home half, opening up with a Jacob Sheldon-Collins leadoff single. After moving over on a walk and a sacrifice bunt, the senior shortstop would come home on a sacrifice fly provided by freshman Ethan Lopez.

The 'Bows were able to get runners aboard throughout the night, held without a runner only twice in the first six innings. However, UH had challenges getting them across, leaving two runners aboard in three innings.

Although Lawrence Chew and Cody Culp held the line across the final three frames in relief, allowing only one hit, a trio of UCR relievers met the challenge as well, giving only one runner in the final three. Alex Fagade locked up the final 1.2 innings, earning his second save with no hits or walks, striking out two in the ninth.

Starter Kyle Von Ruden (6-2) took the loss for UH, going 6.2 innings with eight hits and two runs.

UCR's Austin Sodders (5-4) picked up the win after 6.0 innings of action, allowing five hits and one run, tossing eight strikeouts, the most against UH by a Big West pitcher this season.

Freshman catcher Kekai Rios proved to be a bright spot offensively for the 'Bows, hitting 3-for-4 on the night.

With UH's 2016 Commencement Exercises scheduled for Saturday morning, the series is on hold until Sunday, when the 'Bows and Highlanders are set for a series-closing doubleheader with first pitch set for 12:05 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium.