HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i baseball team (25-21, 9-10 BWC) couldn't overcome early stumbles against Long Beach State (25-27, 10-9 BWC) in Friday night's series opener at Les Murakami Stadium, falling to the Dirtbags, 7-2.
 
It was a rocky start to the series in a plethora of ways for the 'Bows to open against the Dirtbags. First, a surprising four-pitch walk to the leadoff batter. Then a throwback from catcher Kekai Rios opened a cut when it hit starter Jackson Rees in the face, knocking him out of the game. Long Beach State proceeded to take advantage of the rush warmup for reliever Kash Koltermann, reeling off five first-inning runs.
 
A third-inning sac fly and a series of miscues in the fourth allowed the Dirtbags to grow their lead out to 7-0 while starter Zak Baayoun kept the Hawai'i offense contained.
 
Center fielder Dylan Vchulek beat out the play to get the 'Bows started in the fifth and left fielder Johnny Weeks cashed in the opportunity, making the first slice into LBSU's lead with an RBI double driven to left center.
 
The Rainbow Warriors would score just once more as Weeks sent home Vchulek in the seventh amidst a Dirtbags double play. However, reliever Eli Villalobos handled the 'Bows in the final two frames and held on for the 7-2 LBSU win.
 
Despite throwing seven pitches to two batters, Rees (4-3) took the loss. Koltermann recorded a 6.0-inning outing, securing career highs in back-to-back games. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits, striking out four.
 
Vchulek scored both runs for the 'Bows and hit 2-for-3. Yamazaki batted 2-for-4 on the night.
 
The Rainbow Warriors and Dirtbags return to action in the second game of the series on Saturday night at Les Murakami Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.