HONOLULU – San Diego State was unable to withstand a late Hawai'i rally on Sunday, dropping a 6-5 decision in 10 innings in the finale of a non-conference weekend series at Les Murakami Stadium.
Trailing 5-1, the Rainbow Warriors (15-7) scored the game's final five runs to complete the series sweep and deal the Aztecs (6-16) their sixth straight defeat.
The loss spoiled a determined effort by SDSU starting pitcher Xavier Cardenas III, who pitched out of multiple jams across seven-plus innings, allowing just three runs (two earned) on two hits while scattering seven walks without the benefit of a strikeout.
In addition, the Aztecs received a season-high four RBIs from Tino Bethancourt, while Shaun Montoya fell one home run shy of the cycle after recording a season-best three hits and three runs scored.
After SDSU built a four-run advantage, however, the Hawai'i bullpen retired 16 of 17 batters over the final 5 2/3 innings to remain within striking distance. Finley Bates was the lone Aztec to reach base in that stretch on a fielding error with one out in the seventh but was quickly doubled off first on a hot smash to second just moments later.
The Rainbow Warriors began their comeback by plating three runs in the eighth on just one hit, capitalizing on three walks and an error to pull within 5-4.
After Cardenas issued walks to Austin Machado and Matthew Miura to lead off the inning, both runners advanced when reliever Chris Canavan entered and threw a wild pitch, while Ben Ziegler-Namoa drew another walk to load the bases.
Shortly thereafter, Issac Araiza was summoned from the bullpen, as Aaron Ujimori reached on a fielder's choice and took second after a relay throw to first on a double-play attempt went awry, with Machado and Miura racing home. Ujimori soon advanced to third on Kyson Donahue's single to center and ultimately scored when Colby Turner's throw home was off target on Dallas Duarte's grounder to third.
Elijah Ickes then bunted Duarte and Donahue over to second and third, respectively, but Araiza got out of the jam after inducing a groundout to Jordan Donahue, preserving a precarious 5-4 lead for the Scarlet and Black.
However, UH tied the game in the bottom of the ninth when Naighel Calderon pinch ran for Machado and scored on Miura's one out single through the left side. Previously, Machado reached on an infield single to third and advanced on an errant throw to first. However, the Rainbow Warriors were unable to plate the game winner in regulation after Araiza induced consecutive flyouts to Zeigler-Namoa and Ujimori.
After retiring the Aztecs in order in the 10th, UH wasted little time in completing the rally in the bottom of the frame. Kyson Donahue drew a bases on balls to lead off the inning and motored around to third on Duarte's single up the middle. Ickes was then intentionally walked to load the bases before Jordan Donahue lifted a fly ball to the wall in right field on a 2-2 offering, plating his cousin Kyson with the game-winner.
Araiza (0-1) suffered the loss for the Scarlet and Black after giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks in two innings pitched, while Danny Veloz (4-0), UH's fifth reliever of the game, was credited with the win after setting down all six batters he faced over the final two frames.
SDSU raced to a 5-1 advantage thanks to a pair of two-run doubles by Bethancourt in the first and third off Itsuki Takemoto and Isaiah Madaleno, respectively, while Irvin Weems added a sacrifice fly off Connor Harrison in the fifth.
The Rainbow Warriors lone run in that stretch was also tallied via sacrifice fly off the bat of Duarte in the second.
Cardenas fought himself off the ropes in the fourth when UH loaded the bases without a hit, inducing a pop foul to Jordan Donohue with two outs. In addition, the Aztec right-hander received an inning-ending double play in the sixth after Stone Miyao drew a one-out walk, while Kyson Donohue was hit by a pitch.
UP NEXT
San Diego State returns home for a three-game Mountain West series vs. New Mexico, March 28-30, at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Aztecs Edged at Hawai'i in 10 Innings, 6-5
