HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Hawaii came up with a trio of two-out, run-scoring hits to erase an early deficit as the Rainbow Warriors claimed a 4-2 win over Wichita State on Saturday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
It was a frustrating evening on all fronts for Wichita State (2-4), which finished the game 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and converted just one of five opportunities with a runner at third base and less than two outs. Meanwhile, Hawaii (6-1) recorded six of their ten hits with two outs, scoring all four runs after two men had been retired.
The rallies spoiled an otherwise excellent start from WSU right-hander
Grant Adler, who had to settle for a no-decision after allowing five hits and two runs over 5.2 innings. Adler struck out four and walked two.
The Shockers struck for a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to seize the early advantage, but failed to capitalize on an opportunity for more. A
Jordan Rogers hit by pitch and
Josh Livingston double put two on with nobody out, followed by a
Kam Durnin infield single that scored Rogers for a 1-0 edge.
Ryan Callahan bounced into a double play that scored Livingston and doubled the lead but emptied the bases, then WSU stranded two additional runners after another hit by pitch and walk preceded an inning-ending strikeout.
Rogers was ultimately hit by a pitch three times in the game, matching a single-game program record.
Hawaii got their first clutch hit in the bottom of the fourth when Draven Nushida slapped a two-out RBI single that cut the lead to 2-1, though Adler got out of the inning with no further damage and then worked through the fifth to preserve the advantage. In the sixth, however, the Rainbow Warriors made the most of a two-out walk, following with a single, stolen base, and finally a two-run double off the bat of Xaige Lancaster that put Hawaii in front, 3-2.
Ben Ziegler-Namoa added another two-out run in the seventh, lining a base hit to cash in a leadoff single and give Hawaii a 4-2 cushion.
Four Rainbow Warrior relievers combined to hold Wichita State off the board for the final five innings, stranding six runners on base in the process. Cory Ronan (1-0) earned the win with two shutout frames and Isaiah Magdaleno did the same to earn his first save.
Wichita State and Hawaii close out the series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm CT.
