The result was much more to Hawaii’s liking, but the game itself was just as ugly.

Breland Almadova homered and scored three times and Kolten Wong drove in three runs to lead the Rainbows to a 9-8 victory over Valparaiso last night.

Either team can take the series with a victory in the finale tonight.

A Les Murakami Stadium crowd of 2,525 saw the teams combine for 10 errors, including three in one inning by the Crusaders (16-22), who had their 10-game winning streak snapped.

The Rainbows (22-16) were credited with a season-high six errors, the same number they’ve made in eight Western Athletic Conference games.

"We’ve come out thinking we’re going to beat this team because we’ve never heard of them and don’t know much about them, but I’ve got news for you: These guys are good and will come out and smoke us (tonight) if we come out and play the same way we have these first two games," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said.

"It’s my fault because it’s my job to prepare these guys to play and not disrespect the game, which is exactly what we’ve done these last two games."

Hawaii’s offense picked up the defense, scoring three times with two outs in the fifth to take a 7-4 lead.

Almadova, who finished 2-for-4 with a walk, led off with his first home run of the season,.

His three runs scored gave him 28 for the season, putting him one behind Wong for the team lead. After the game, the sophomore was more focused on his team’s defensive struggles.

"It’s embarrassing to make six errors," Almadova said. "That’s not how we play Rainbow baseball and we’ve got to pick it up (tonight)."

Collin Bennett, who started his second straight game at third, hit a run-scoring single in the second to put Hawaii in front 2-0.

Freshman Jarrett Arakawa couldn’t hold the lead as Valparaiso took advantage of two UH errors in the third to go up 3-2.

Chris Manning tied the game with an RBI double and Will Hagel’s run-scoring single put the Crusaders in front.

The first of two errors by Bennett allowed Valparaiso to take a 4-2 lead, but the Rainbows battled back with a five-spot in the fifth, sending nine men to the plate.

Wong delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 4-all, and back-to-back RBI hits by Zack Swasey and Michael Blake pushed the lead to 7-4.

Arakawa (5-2) left with two outs in the sixth after an RBI single by Steven Scoby brought the Crusaders back within two at 7-5.

Brent Harrison need one pitch to get out of the inning, forcing Manning to ground into a fielder’s choice with men on first and second.

Four of the five runs were earned against Arakawa, who allowed seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts.

Lenny Linsky had to work overtime for his eighth save, retiring six of the seven batters he faced.

AJ Bayus replaced Bennett at third in the eighth after Bennett’s second error allowed the Crusaders to cut the lead to 9-7.

"We’re doing some experimenting and you’ll get growing pains doing those things, but if it means losing a game in April against Valpo, but winning a game against Fresno or San Jose in May, I’ll do that," Trapasso said. "But that’s just one small aspect of how bad we’ve played the last two games."

Tyler Deetjen (3-6) took the loss, allowing six hits and seven runs in five innings. Four of those runs were unearned and Deetjen walked two and struck out five.

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