In a protracted pitchers’ duel, Hawaii was up to the task in its 2023 Big West baseball opener.

The Rainbow Warriors held out long enough for Jared Quandt to score from first on a costly Cal Poly error in the top of the 10^th inning and UH took its first conference game for the first time under coach Rich Hill, 1-0, at the Mustangs’ Baggett Stadium on Friday night.

Harry Gustin made his finest start of the season, going 5 2/3 innings and scattering five hits while striking out six against just one walk for UH (8-7, 1-0 BWC).

He was backed up by Alex Giroux, who picked up the win in supplying 3 1/3 innings with two hits allowed.

Cal Poly starter Bryce Warrecker lasted seven innings, yielding five hits and two walks and fanning six. UH loaded the bases in the eighth but Derek True got his team out of it by inducing a groundout from Matt Wong.

True was the hard-luck loser for the Mustangs (3-12, 0-1) when right fielder Wyatt King dropped Jacob Igawa’s deep fly ball and Quandt, who drew a two-out walk in the 10th, came all the way around.

The Mustangs put the tying run on second in the bottom of the inning when Stafford drew a one-out walk and stole a base with two out. But Connor Harrison struck out Collin Villegas to end the game and pick up his third save of the year.

Because of expected inclement weather on Sunday, the teams will load up Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. Hawaii time.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.