A change in venue produced a similar result for the suddenly streaking Hawaii baseball team.
Kaeo Aliviado drove in two of Hawaii’s four fifth-inning runs with a double and relievers Andrew Jones and Quintin Torres-Costa continued to shut down opposing teams in the Rainbow Warriors’ 6-3 win over UC Riverside on Thursday.
Hawaii (19-26, 10-9 Big West) opened a three-game series at Riverside Sports Complex in Riverside, Calif., with its season-high fourth straight victory.
Right-hander L.J. Brewster (6-4) took a one-hitter into the sixth inning and gave up three runs on six hits in 6 1⁄3 innings.
Jones relieved Brewster with two on and one out and struck out four over 12⁄3 innings.
Torres-Costa worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his seventh save.
"It was the best formula that we could ask for in Game 1," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "(Jones) only threw 21 pitches, Quintin threw 13 and we get a quality start from L.J., who was actually really good. That was the best he’s been the first five innings in a long time."
Brewster allowed his first hit with two outs in the fifth inning and gave up an RBI single to Vince Fernandez in the sixth inning.
Adonis Morrison doubled home a run in the seventh inning for UC Riverside (13-33, 2-14) and Brewster walked a batter to put runners on the corners with one out when he was pulled.
"You could see L.J. start to fatigue so we had Jones ready and Jones was as sharp as he’s been all year today," Trapasso said.
Jones and Torres-Costa are the only relievers Hawaii has used during its four-game winning streak. They have combined to allow three runs in 28 innings in conference games.
Jacob Sheldon-Collins had three hits and Aliviado delivered the big blow in the fifth inning, missing a grand slam by a few feet. His double bounced off the wall, scoring Sheldon-Collins, who led off with a single, and Stephen Ventimilia, who drew one of his two walks.
Aliviado also drew two walks, reaching base three times.
"It was a good game for Kaeo," Trapasso said. "He missed a grand slam by about 18 inches at the top of the wall but that was his best swing that he put on it. You could tell he was seeing the ball pretty well."
Alan Baldwin drew a bases-loaded walk and Alex Sawelson hit a sacrifice fly to score another run in the fifth. Sawelson led off the fourth with a double and scored on Marcus Doi’s sacrifice fly.
Chayce Ka‘aua led off the sixth inning with a single and scored on Sheldon-Collins’ RBI base hit.
The leadoff batter reached base in five of Hawaii’s first six innings.
Junior Tyler Brashears (7-4, 1.78 ERA) will try to extend his 21-inning scoreless streak on Friday in Game 2 of the series at 3 p.m.