HONOLULU – San Diego State suffered its fourth straight loss on Friday after falling to Hawai'i by a 16-5 count in the opener of a non-conference weekend series at Les Murakami Stadium.
The Aztecs (6-14) grabbed an early 4-0 lead thanks to consecutive RBI singles by Shaun Montoya, Irvin Weems and Colby Turner with two outs in the third, while Tino Bethancourt doubled home Turner in the fifth.
However, the Rainbow Warriors (13-7) combined for 13 runs in their half of the fifth and sixth to steal the momentum.
In the fateful fifth, Hawai'i sent 14 men to the plate against four SDSU relievers, scoring eight runs on just three hits while capitalizing on three hit batters with the bases loaded, in addition to three walks and two errors.
Dallas Duarte also helped key the inning with a two-run single after Stone Miyao's sacrifice fly.
The Rainbow Warriors plated five more markers in the sixth, capped by Austin Machado's two-run single with two outs. Earlier, Kyson Donahue singled home Matthew Miura, who led off with a walk, while Jordan Donahue followed with a double to knock in Ben Ziegler-Namoa and Duarte.
The Aztecs finally stemmed the tide in the eighth when Drew Rutter walked and ultimately crossed the plate on Montoya's second single of the night.
However, UH closed out the scoring in its half of the inning after Machado drew a bases-loaded walk and Miura followed with a sacrifice fly, while pinch runner Naighel Calderon later raced home on a wild pitch.
Reliever Danny Veloz (3-0) was credited with the victory after pitching two scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh, where he combined for five strikeouts without giving up a hit.
Conversely, Garvey Rumary (0-1) was tagged with the loss after recording just two outs in the fifth when he allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and a pair of hit batters.
Starter Jacob Riordan pitched three scoreless innings for the Scarlet and Black, offsetting two hits and a walk with a trio of strikeouts.
Along with Montoya's total, Turner and Evan Sipe tied for Aztec team-high honors with two hits apiece.
On the flip side, Jordan Donahue (2 RBIs) led all players with three hits for the Rainbow Warriors, while Machado finished with a game-high four RBIs in the victory.
The teams combined to leave 21 runners on base, including 11 for Hawai'i.
Leading 3-0, SDSU had a chance to extend its advantage in the fourth after loading the bases with one out on consecutive singles by Sipe and Josh Quezada, while Jake Jackson reached on a fielding error.
However, starter Alex Giroux received a popout in foul territory on the third base side, while reliever Harrison Bodendorf entered and induced a flyout to extinguish the threat.
UP NEXT
San Diego State and Hawai'i continue their weekend series on Saturday, beginning at 9:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. HT.
Aztecs Fall in Series Opener at Hawai'i
