The Hawai'i baseball team fell 5-1 in the final contest of its three-game series against UC Santa Barbara, yet the Rainbow Warriors still walked away with a road series victory after winning the first two games.
Early Momentum for the Gauchos
Santa Barbara struck early, building a multi-run lead before the Rainbow Warriors could respond, with Jonathan Mendez contributing significantly to the Gauchos' offense.
Hawai'i struggled to convert opportunities, finishing 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and leaving several baserunners stranded.
Relief pitcher Van Froling shut down the opposition, striking out six batters over 3.2 innings to earn the save and keep the game within reach.
Tate Shimao provided a late spark for the Warriors, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles and driving in key runs in the final innings.
The team now returns home to open a four-game homestand, beginning Wednesday with a matchup against Hawai'i Pacific.