RUSTON, La. >> This time, there would be no comeback for the University of Hawaii baseball team in today’s 9-4 loss at Louisiana Tech.

The Rainbows’ (25-17, 5-3) opportunity came in the eighth inning, but they failed to capitalize despite loading the bases with no outs. In the series opener on Thursday, a two-run ninth helped spark an eventual 12-inning win. But on this night, it was all Bulldogs (19-23, 2-9) when it mattered most.

“We weren’t good in any phase today, and they were good in every phase,” Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. “We just got beaten. That might be as bad a game as we’ve played collectively in all three phases.”

Still, the chance was there.

A.J. Bayus drew a leadoff walk with the Rainbows trailing 7-3 to open the eighth.

Garrett Champion and Stephen Ventimilia snuck back-to-back singles through the infield to load the bases with no outs, and Kaeo Aliviado singled to right field to drive home Bayus and bring Tech coach Wade Simoneaux to the mound.

Jamie Gilley came on in relief of Phil Maton and shut down the threat with a pair of strikeouts and a harmless flyball.

“I give credit to them,” Trapasso said. “They pitched well, they played good defense, and they came out swinging.”