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FULLERTON, Calif. – Although the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (22-27, 11-12 Big West) pulled ahead of No. 18 Cal State Fullerton (33-18, 15-5 Big West) early, as quickly as the 'Bows built their lead, the league-leading Titans grabbed it back en route to the 8-3 game two win, Saturday at CSF's Goodwin Field.

A productive start for the 'Bows was spoiled early by the Titans' ability to hit the long ball, which accounted for the key momentum shift and four of the five runs in the final deficit.

For the second game this series, it was the young players in the back half of the order sparking the 'Bows. After left fielder Marcus Doi led off the second frame with a single up the middle, freshman backstop Kekai Rios ripped a single into left field and both moved over on a sacrifice bunt by freshman right fielder Ethan Lopez. Redshirt sophomore Chayce Ka'aua made the effort count, driving a ball to the warning track for a sacrifice fly and the early lead.

The 'Bows extended their lead in the second as Rios came home while Matt LoCoco reached on a Cal State Fullerton error for the second time in the first two frames.

Blanked in the first couple of innings, the Titans knotted it up with a two-run Timmy Richards shot beyond the left field wall in the third, moving him into a tie for the league's long ball lead and the game to 2-2. CSF capitalized on the momentum, pulling one run ahead on a two-out opposite field RBI double.

Designated hitter Ruben Cardenas drove a second home run to left field for two runs, capping off the five-run inning and swinging the Titans out to a 5-2 advantage.

The 'Bows responded with a quick snap of the barrel in the top of the fourth, as Lopez secured his first hit of the day to extend his hit streak to 15 games, pulling his second career home run into the left field parking lot.

After another pair of blank frames, the Titans struck again to open up their advantage, using a bases loaded, full count single to bring home two runs off reliever Isaac Friesen after chasing off starter Alex Hatch. Reliever Patrick Martin closed the frame with two outs and a walk to hold the line at 7-3.

While CSF starter John Gavin settled in and held the 'Bows scoreless beyond the early scoring, the Titans offense tacked up an insurance run in the seventh. Gavin combined with Dylan Prohoroff and Chad Hockin to limit UH to just two hits across the final five innings of action, securing the 8-3 final line.

Hatch (3-6) took the loss for UH, with seven earned runs on 11 hits and no walks in 5.1 innings.

Gavin (6-2) picked up the win for CSF, going 6.0 innings with three runs on three hits, while also walking two.

At the plate, Lopez led the way for the Rainbow Warriors, hitting 2-for-3 with the home run, a single and a sac bunt. His 15-game hitting streak is only the third at that length in the Mike Trapasso coaching era and the first since Kolten Wong went 16 straight in 2009.

With the series split, the Rainbow Warriors and Titans return to Goodwin Field on Sunday night for the rubber match, scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m. HT) first pitch.