UH baseball team defeats UC San Diego 6-3

Rainbow Warriors even series after Thursday's loss

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:33am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a college baseball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the intense action on the college baseball diamond as Hawaii and UC San Diego battle for conference supremacy.San Diego Today

The University of Hawaii baseball team bounced back from a loss on Thursday to defeat UC San Diego 6-3 on Friday at Triton Ballpark in La Jolla, California. Starting pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno allowed just three hits and one run over six innings, while Draven Nushida hit a two-run homer to lead the Rainbow Warriors' offense.

Why it matters

This was an important Big West Conference series matchup, as UC San Diego is currently leading the league standings. Hawaii's win on Friday evened the series at one game apiece, keeping the Rainbow Warriors in contention in the competitive Big West race.

The details

Hawaii moved up the start of this three-game series to avoid playing on Easter Sunday. Magdaleno, the Rainbow Warriors' usual Friday starter, was held back to pitch in his regular slot and delivered a strong outing, striking out five batters. Grant Garman and Tsubasa Tomii provided solid relief, with Tomii recording the final three outs despite allowing a two-run double in the ninth inning. Offensively, Draven Nushida hit his second home run of the season, and Ben Zeigler-Namoa went 4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

  • The three-game series was moved up a day, starting on Thursday instead of the usual Friday, to avoid playing on Easter Sunday.
  • The series opener on Thursday resulted in a 10-9 loss for Hawaii.

The players

Isaiah Magdaleno

The University of Hawaii starting pitcher who allowed just three hits and one run over six innings to earn the win.

Draven Nushida

The University of Hawaii player who hit a two-run home run to provide key offensive production for the Rainbow Warriors.

Ben Zeigler-Namoa

The University of Hawaii player who went 4-for-5 at the plate, scoring a run and driving in another.

Anthony Potestio

The UC San Diego shortstop who hit a two-run double in the ninth inning to cut Hawaii's lead.

UC San Diego Tritons

The baseball team from the University of California, San Diego, which entered the series leading the Big West Conference standings.

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What they’re saying

“Back in a routine, the University of Hawaii baseball team held off UC San Diego 6-3 today at Triton Ballpark in La Jolla, Calif.”

— Stephen Tsai, Author

What’s next

The series will conclude on Saturday, with the winner taking the series.

The takeaway

Hawaii's win on Friday evened the series and kept the Rainbow Warriors in contention in the competitive Big West Conference race, as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.