HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i (17-8) baseball team came away from Friday's gut-wrenching victory over Nevada (7-20), making a late-game rally to secure the Rainbow Warriors' seventh-consecutive win, Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
The Rainbow Warriors had their work cut out for them in extending their winning streak to the longest run since the 2012 season, battling back to extend the series to a 2-0 UH lead over Nevada. In what turned out to be a pitcher's duel, the Rainbow Warriors landed the first blow, as third baseman Josh Rojas fired a shot over third base to score Alex Fitchett, who reached base via walk.
 
Although the Wolf Pack tested starter Dominic DeMiero early, the redshirt sophomore left-hander held Nevada until the fourth, when Mike Echavia reached on a single and moved to second on an error, coming home quickly with the tie run on a Cole Krzmarzick double to left field. Keaton Smith quickly followed with an RBI single up the middle for the 2-1 advantage.
 
Going extremely long without backup in the bullpen, Nevada starter Mark Nowaczewski threw 127 pitches for a 7.2-inning appearance, but wearily ran into some trouble in the eighth. Center fielder Dylan Vchulek got things started with one out in the eighth. Shortstop Dustin Demeter made the effort count, lifting a 2-2 pitch beyond the fielder in right field for a career-first RBI triple and the tie ballgame. Three consecutive walks provided the Rainbow Warriors with the game-winning run, as Demeter crossed on an Eric Ramirez RBI walk.
 
DeMiero put his nose to the grindstone after Nevada pulled ahead, holding the Wolf Pack scoreless for three innings before handing off to Dylan Thomas after a 7.0-inning appearance. The redshirt freshman right-hander earned his first career victory after knocking down 6-of-7 batters, with three strikeouts across the final two frames, securing the 3-2 comeback victory.
 
Despite reaching double-digit hits in seven of the last nine contests, the Rainbow Warriors were limited on Friday, held to five just five hits. Demeter led the way with a pair of crucial hits, batting in the game-tying run and scoring the game winner with a 2-for-4 appearance.
 
The Rainbow Warriors and Wolf Pack return to action on Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.