Sacramento State earned a split with the University of Hawaii on Saturday, winning game one 3-2 but losing game two 7-4.

With the split, the Hornets record now stands at 13-18-1 overall and 2-1 in Western Athletic Conference play. The Rainbow Warriors are now 18-17 overall and 2-5 in WAC play.

In game one Sac State was led by sophomore standout pitcher Jesse Darrah, who threw seven and two thirds innings, giving up one run on five hits while striking out two batters.

Hornet closer Andrew Galvan sealed the deal, helping Darrah improve his record to 3-2. Galvan earned his fifth save of the year. The losing pitcher was Sam Spangler. His record drops to 2-5 on the season.

Darrah said he wanted to establish himself in his first start of conference play.

“I was excited for this game; it was my first start of WAC play. I pitched against these guys last year and I pitched a really good game,” Darrah said. “So I thought I could come out and do it again. I just had a lot of fun and I am glad it went my way today.”

Timely hitting for Sac State came late in the game when the Hornets scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. A.J. Nunez. Nunez came off the bench to replace teammate Trevor Bloom in right field and help the team take game two in the four game series with Hawaii. He had one of three RBI going 2-2 at the plate.

Nunez said he felt great that he could come into the first game and contribute to the teams win.

“I felt good. My swing has been feeling a lot better lately,” Nunez said. “I was happy to finally get a chance and show the team what I have to offer”

Game two was a tail of two different Hornet teams, as they would fall to the Rainbow Warriors 7-4. Both teams needed their bullpens early in this game as each starter left game in the early innings.

Hornet reliever Logan Todd earned the loss, dropping his record to 1-4 on the season. Rainbow Warrior reliever Jesse Moore picked up his first win, bringing his record to 1-1.Sac State head coach John Smith said it is difficult to win a double-header in a four game series played over a three-day span.

“It is tough to win a double-header and I don’t care who you are playing,” Smith said. “Your emotions get high for the first game and I thought we played very well in the first game. I think we just didn’t have the same intensity from the first game and yesterday’s game. Hopefully with a good nights rest we will be able to come back tomorrow and have the same fire as the first day and be position to win the game.”

Sac State will close out the series with Hawai’i on Sunday. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Hornet field.

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]