Leisha Li’ili’i drove in Kayla Wartner with a single in the top of the seventh inning and the University of Hawaii softball team edged Big West leader CSUN 4-3 to open a three-game series on Friday in Northridge, Calif.

After Li’ili’i delivered the tie-breaking single Rainbow Wahine freshman Brittany Hitchcock retired CSUN in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn a complete-game victory and UH (28-21, 9-7 Big West) handed the Matadors (39-12, 14-2) just their second loss in Big West play.

The series concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Hawaii time at Matador Diamond.

Wartner gave UH the lead with an RBI double in the top of the third and an error on Rachel Lack’s single in the fourth allowed pinch-runner Sarah McAndrew to score from second and the Wahine led 2-0.

CSUN rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth with Maylynn Mitchell driving in the Matadors’ first run. Mitchell scored on a UH error and Taylor Nate’s single scored Ariana Wassmer with the go-ahead run.

With two out in the top of the sixth, UH loaded the bases on two walks and a single and Tayana Mata was hit by a pitch to bring in Lack with the tying run.

CSUN also loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the inning but Hitchcock got Taylor Glover to fly out to preserve the tie.

Wartner walked to lead off the seventh and advanced on Heather Morales’ sacrifice bunt. Li’ili’i then singled to center to bring Wartner around to score.

Hitchcock (15-7) got two ground outs to Mata at second and a fly out to end the game. CSUN reliever Jordan Sauceda (2-2) took the loss.