HONOLULU, O'ahu - The Highlanders took Les Murakami Field on Saturday, April 9 to face the Rainbow Warriors of University of Hawaii in their second game of three scheduled for this weekend's Big West Series.


Despite a first-inning RBI single from Jacob Shanks sending Jacob Badawi across the plate for an early Highlanders lead, UCR ultimately fell to Hawaii 11-7 in game two on the islands.



Shanks got an insurance run for UCR in the third inning, sending Sean McLeod home with another RBI single. Taylor Juline extended the Highlanders lead with another RBI single before the Warriors would end the inning.



A two-RBI double put UH on the board in the fourth inning, bringing the score to 3-2 with the Highlanders holding onto the lead.



Three Highlander runs in the fifth inning put UCR up 6-2, as they entered the back half of the game hoping to hold off the Rainbow Warriors and threaten to take the series.



Hawai'i offense broke open the game in the sixth and seventh inning. Two runs in the sixth cut the Highlanders lead to 6-4, but the Rainbow Warriors were just getting started. UH overwhelmed UCR defense in the seventh with five runs, while stifling Highlander bats through the stretch. They'd go into the eighth inning ahead, 11-6.



Anthony McFarland scored the Highlanders final run on an error in the eighth, for a final score of 11-7 in favor of the home team.



Shanks went 3 for 5 at the plate with 2 RBI, and Joey Nicolai went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI in an impressive offensive performance by the Highlanders, despite the final score line.



The Highlanders are set to close the series with game three, scheduled for Sunday, April 10 at 4:05 PM at Les Murakami field.