The Hornets fall to 20-25 on the year and 8-8 in the WAC, while the Rainbows improve to 30-12 and 8-6 in league.

Hornet left-hander Matt Campbell (4-8) pitched 8.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits.

Hawai’i right-hander Steven Wright improved to 8-2, pitching 7.2 innings and holding Sacramento State to two runs on seven hits. Wright’s win was backed by right-hander Darrel Fisherbaugh, who earned his eighth save of the season retiring the final out of the eighth after Gary Johnson and Jim Strombach recorded back-to-back singles.

Campbell surrendered his second hit of the game, a solo home run in the bottom of the third to Hawai’i shortstop Eli Christensen, giving the Rainbows a 1-0 lead.

The Rainbows threatened again in the bottom of the fourth with one out and runners at second and third, but Jorge Franco grounded out to third baseman David Flores and center fielder Jim Strombach made a diving grab in right center to rob Adam Roberts of an RBI single.

The defensive stops were significant going into the top of the fifth inning with the Hornets taking a 2-1 lead on two hits. Sacramento State first baseman Brian Blauser connected on a one-run double off the left field wall to score designated hitter Pat Keiper and even the game at one run apiece.

Senior left fielder Brian Conradi singled to keep the inning alive and with one out and runners at first and third, junior right fielder Montana Dye’s RBI-sacrifice fly scored Blauser for the Hornets’ go-ahead run.

Hawai’i took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth after Luis Avila led off the inning with a single. Matthew Inouye followed Avila with a one-run triple off the glove of Conradi, before scoring from third on a throwing error.

Defensively, Flores was a defensive highlight reel with diving stops and a game-high 10 assists from third.