The Dons managed to play the first road game of the season which ended in nine innings, but in the end were left hoping for extras as their ninth inning rally fell short. The Rainbow Warriors (2-4, 0-0 Big West) managed their first win of the series with a 3-2 result.

Daniel Slominski got the start for USF (5-2, 0-0 WCC) after an impressive display in his debut, but this time out, it was the free passes that hurt the Dons. "We played a little tense today," head coach Nino Giarratano said. "We just gave up too many free bases and the errors killed us."

The faltering defense and inability to locate in the zone would rear its ugly head in the fifth inning. It started when Jedd Andrade reached on an error by Allen Smoot. After a bunt and a walk, Hawaii had runners on first and second. A failed pickoff attempt then allowed the runners to advance a base. Slominski would then walk the bases loaded and subsequently walk in the second run of the game.

USF would start to climb back into it, however, as Ross Puskarich would triple with one out in the top half of the sixth. On the day, Puskarich extended his hitting streak to 24 games dating back to last year. Dominic Miroglio would then step up and hit a ground ball to second base which scored Puskarich and brought the Dons within one.

Hawaii would waste no time responding as they would tack on what would eventually prove to be the decisive run in the bottom of the sixth. Grant Young was on the mound and Tyler Murray lead off the inning with a double. Alex Fitchett would pinch-hit for Andrade and double home Murray.

USF would manage to pull one back before the game was over. Harrison Bruce singled up the middle, stole second and then was doubled home by Matt Sinatro.

In the ninth inning, Bruce lead off the inning with a walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Tyler Villaroman was able to move Bruce to third setting up Sinatro, the walk-off hero from the opening game. Sinatro would smash a ball on the ground to first, but a nice backhand from Eric Ramirez at first and a strike home got Bruce at the plate. Nico Giarratano would give the ball a ride next but the out was made a half-step in front of the warning track.

Brendan Jenkins finished the game for USF with two solid innings in which he did not allow a run. He has not allowed a run as a Don yet as he pushed his season stats to five scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

"Jenkins attacks," Giarratano said. "He attacks and throws strikes. He mixes in a nice slider and he's been real aggressive."

The Dons speed was on display once again as they were 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts on the day. They got one a piece from Giarratano, Sinatro, Bruce and Miroglio.

The Dons will play their final game in Hawaii on Sunday with a 3:05 p.m. PST start. It will be the lefty Sam Granoff (1-0, 7.20 ERA) taking the mound for the Dons as they look to head home happy.

"We want to win the series," Giarratano said. "That's a tough challenge to do on the road. Hopefully tomorrow we can put some offense together and defensively we cannot give up free bases. We'll need a good start from Granoff, too."

After Sunday's action the Dons will make a pit stop at home when they host Utah Valley State at Benedetii Diamond on Tuesday at 1 p.m. You can buy a ticket to watch the Diamond Dons in action by clicking here.