Kamehameha graduate Tyler Meditz went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to help Santa Clara defeat Hawaii 3-1 in the opener of a four-game series at Les Murakami Stadium tonight.

Freshman Travis Howard (2-1) more than doubled his career strikeout total, finishing with seven in 6 2/3 innings to pick up the win in his first collegiate start for the Broncos (9-10).

Josh Rojas singled and scored the only run for Hawaii (9-13), which was 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Matt LoCoco and Jacob Sheldon-Collins each finished 2-for-4 with a double.

Brendan Hornung (2-5) took the loss allowing three runs on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings with one walk and a career-high nine strikeouts.

The series continues Friday night at 6:35 with the Broncos starting ace Mitchell White (2-2, 1.34 ERA). White has struck out 48 in 33 2/3 innings.