HONOLULU – The Hawai'i baseball team couldn't overcome a pair of UC Irvine homers, dropping the opener of a key Big West series Friday, 6-3, to the No. 20 Anteaters.
UCI's Anthony Martinez hit a solo shot in the second inning and a three-run blast in the fifth while the Anteaters' Nick Pinto kept the UH hitters off balance over six innings of two-run ball with three strikeouts.
The Rainbow Warriors (15-8, 2-2 Big West) got on the board first, scoring an unearned run in the first. After
Matthew Miura worked a two-out walk,
Austin Machado reached on an infield single and error on a dropped throw at first base that allowed Miura to score all the way from first.
UCI (20-3, 6-1 Big West) came right back in the top of the second, scoring two runs on an Anthony Martinez solo homer and a Luke Spillane RBI single to make it 2-1.
Martinez struck again in the fifth inning, pulling a three-run shot out down the right field line to stretch the Anteater lead to 5-1.
The 'Bows fought back with single runs in the fifth and eighth – Including a bases-loaded, two-out situation the eighth – but couldn't complete the comeback.
Prior to the game, Hawai'i honored broadcasters Don Robbs and the late Jim Leahey by renaming the Les Murakami Stadium press box the Robbs Leahey Press Box. Robbs was recognized on the field along with his son, Scott, and Leahey's son, Kanoa – both of whom are current UH broadcasters. Legendary head coach Les Murakami was also present for the ceremony.
The Rainbow Warriors and Anteaters continue their series Friday night at 6:35 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium.
