With an offense that has scored more than three runs just four times in its past 17 Big West Conference games, Hawaii can’t afford to make many mistakes.

That’s exactly what the Rainbow Warriors did on Saturday, making three errors that assisted in five UC Davis runs as the Aggies evened the series at a game apiece with a 5-2 victory at Dobbins Field in Davis, Calif.

All five UC Davis runs were unearned, with Tanner Bily delivering the knockout blow with a two-run double in the seventh inning.

The score was tied 1-1 when UH third baseman LJ Brewster booted a grounder to third that loaded the bases for the Aggies (22-28, 6-14).

Scott Squier replaced starter Scott Kuzminsky and gave up a sacrifice fly before Bily’s double made it 4-1.

"You’ve got to give credit to (UC Davis)," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "We booted some balls that put ducks on the pond for them, but they got the big hits that brought them in."

Hawaii (20-29, 4-16) was held to two runs or fewer for the fifth time in its past six conference games.

The Rainbow Warriors dropped two games behind the Aggies and Cal State Northridge with four to play as they try to avoid finishing last in a conference for the first time since 2002.

Kuzminsky (4-7) got the loss despite not allowing an earned run in 61/3 innings. He gave up four hits and walked three with two strikeouts to lower his ERA to 2.88.

All three current UH starters have ERAs below 3.00 but are just a combined 11-13.

Hawaii actually out-hit UC Davis, 8-7, but had no extras.

Stephen Ventimilia singled and scored twice and Kaeo Aliviado and Marc Flores each had two hits.

After falling behind 5-1, Hawaii had runners on second and third with nobody out when Aliviado hit a line drive shot right at Nick Lynch at first for an out. Flores followed with an RBI single to score Ventimilia and bring the tying run to the plate.

UC Davis reliever Raul Jacobson struck out Trevor Podratz for the second out. After Flores stole second, Adam Hurley grounded out to third. Hawaii wouldn’t score again.

"We had opportunities but couldn’t get the hit, whereas they had the opportunities and they got the hit," Trapasso said. "I thought Kuzminsky pitched well, but we just made a couple of errors that put guys on base and gave them extra outs."

Jacobson earned his third save, with Justin Mullins (1-0) getting the win. UC Davis starter Spencer Koopmans allowed one run on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in 51/3 innings.

Junior Andrew Jones pitched the eighth inning for Hawaii and struck out the side.

All three strikeouts were looking.

"You don’t see that often on all three called third strikes," Trapasso said. "That was probably the best he’s thrown all year. His velocity was good and the curveball was good. We got a little glimpse of things to come with Andrew."

Jones pitched in only one game last year before having Tommy John surgery.

Junior Jarrett Arakawa (2-1, 2.88 ERA) will start the rubber game of the series on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Saturday
UC Davis 5, Hawaii 2
Cal Poly 6, Cal State Northridge 3
Long Beach State 6, UC Riverside 1
Cal State Fullerton 1, UC Irvine 1, 10 inn.
*UC Santa Barbara 6, San Francisco 0

Sunday
Hawaii at UC Davis, 10 a.m. Hawaii time
Cal Poly at Cal State Northridge
Long Beach State at UC Riverside
Cal State Fullerton at UC Irvine
*UC Santa Barbara at San Francisco

*Nonconference game

E—Venti; Hurley; Brewster. LOB—Hawaii 8; UC Davis 8. 2B—Bily. HBP—Lynch. SH—George; Wobrock. SF—Podratz; Batty; Lipson. SB—Flores; Bily. CS—Aliviado.