HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Hawaii scored four runs in the first inning and it proved to be enough as the Rainbow Warriors defeated Wichita State 4-2 on Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium.

Hawaii (5-1) did all their damage against Wichita State starter Brady Hamilton (1-1), starting with a bases-loaded hit by pitch from Kody Watanabe and a run-scoring ground out from Evan Rolbiecki. With the bases loaded and two outs, Kamanu Nahuku delivered the biggest swing of the game with a two-run single into left for a 4-0 cushion.

Hamilton settled down after the shaky first to fire six consecutive scoreless innings, including striking out the side in the seventh to end his outing. The right-hander allowed seven hits and four runs, all earned, while fanning six and walking two.

Wichita State (4-2) had a great chance to pull level in the second inning but had to settle for two runs. The Shockers loaded the bases on a single, a walk, and an error, then Kaleb Duncan punched an RBI single into right that got WSU on the board at 4-1. Zeb Henry produced another run with a ground out to second, but the Shockers left two other runners in scoring position as a pop out and a strikeout ended the threat with Hawaii leading, 4-2.

That's the way the scoreline stayed thanks to good work from Hawaii starter Hekili Robello (2-0), who worked through 6.0 innings with nine strikeouts to just one walk. Three Rainbow Warrior relievers each tossed a scoreless frame to close out the win, capped off with a shutout ninth from John Alkire II to earn his second consecutive save.

The combination of Ethan Rogers and Brady Pacha got the Shockers through the bottom of the eighth unscathed, as Pacha induced a groundout with two on and two out to give WSU their final chance.

Owen Washburn was the only Shocker to finish with multiple hits, going 2-for-4.

Wichita State and Hawaii continue the series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.