UH baseball drops series opener to No. 20 UC Irvine

The University of Hawaii baseball team had its chances but fell to No. 20 UC Irvine 6-3 on Thursday night.

Hawaii fell to 15-8 overall and 2-2 in Big West Conference play, while the Anteaters improved to 20-3, including 6-1 in conference games.

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Alex Giroux got the start and the loss for the ‘Bows after allowing six hits and four runs in 4.1 innings with six strikeouts.

On the other side, Nick Pinto got the win for Irvine after keeping the ‘Bows at bay in his six innings of work, scattering five hits and two walks with three strikeouts, allowing just one earned run.

Offensively, UC Irvine was carried by Anthony Hernandez, who belted two home runs for a total of four RBI.

For Hawaii, Kyson Donahue had a team-high two hits.

The Rainbow Warriors had their best chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the eighth when the bases were loaded for pinch hitter Jared Quandt with two outs. Although Quandt walked to bring in a run, Aaron Ujimori grounded out on a full count in the next at-bat.

The Rainbow Warriors and Anteaters resume their series on Friday at 6:35 p.m.