RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Hawai'i baseball team battled back after falling into an early hole but couldn't complete the comeback in a 3-2 loss to UC Riverside Friday.
 
After falling behind 3-0 in the early innings, the Rainbow Warriors fought back with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to go into the ninth down one. The 'Bows got the leadoff man on in the last, as Matt Wong worked a four-pitch walk before moving to second on a wild pitch but a pair of flyouts and strikeout ended the game.
 
The Highlanders (8-29, 2-14 Big West) drew first blood, scoring once in the second inning and twice in the third. UCR took a 1-0 lead in the second when a wild pitch allowed a runner to score all the way from second base, before Jacob Shanks hit a two-run homer in the third to make it 3-0.
 
The 'Bows (20-14, 9-7 Big West) chipped away at the deficit with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to make it a 3-2 game. Dallas Duarte was HBP with the bases loaded in the seventh and Bronson Rivera came through with a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth to pull UH within a run. Hawai'i had a chance to add more in the seventh with the bases loaded and no outs after the run scored, but three straight strikeouts ended the frame.
 
Hawai'i starting pitcher Harry Gustin battled through 5.2 innings, striking out five while allowing three runs on seven hits. Tyler Dyball then came in and got the final out of the sixth inning before Alex Giroux worked the final two frames, striking out two while giving up just two hits. UH pitching has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of their 16 Big West games, moving the Rainbow Warriors' team ERA in conference play to a league-best 3.79.
 
The 'Bows and Highlanders continue their series Saturday at 3:30 p.m. HT. Randy Abshier (4-1, 3.33) is set to pitch for UH while UCR is scheduled to throw Alfredo Capacete (0-0, 6.43).