Hawaii managed just two hits in 7 1/3 innings against Cal State Northridge starter Brycen Rutherford and the Matadors used a four-run seventh inning to defeat the Rainbow Warriors 6-2 on Thursday in the opener of a three-game series at Matador Field in Northridge, Calif.

Matt Cooper (3-4) lost his third straight start as Hawaii lost its seventh in a row to drop to 14-20 overall and 2-8 in the Big West.

Cooper gave up three earned runs on nine hits in six innings.

The game was tied 0-0 in the sixth inning when Brett Balkan hit a two-out, two-run single off Cooper after a throwing error by third baseman Jerry Kleman kept the inning going.

Cal State Northridge (14-23, 3-7) scored four more times in the eighth inning to take a 6-0 lead.

Stephen Ventimilia went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Kaeo Aliviado, who was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning, had his hitting streak snapped at nine games.

The series continues Friday at noon Hawaii time.