After what happened Friday and Saturday, Hawaii needed a complete game to beat Nevada on Sunday. That usually means a starting pitcher going the distance, pitching all nine innings or however many is needed to finish the job.

That didn’t happen, as lefty Jarrett Arakawa pitched well but reached a pitch-count limit and was relieved after the Rainbow Warriors took a one-run lead in the seventh inning.

But in the sense of a strong all-around team performance? That is what I also call a complete game, and that’s what UH played in its 6-3 win.

"Big hits, big pitches, defensively I thought (shortstop Austin) Wobrock had a stellar day, some of the plays he made," coach Mike Trapasso said. "We definitely played well. And it helps when you’re able to go out there and the bullpen for the most part throws strikes."

We couldn’t say that after the first two games of the series, because in close games you’re only as good as your bullpen and UH’s was, well, terrible Friday and Saturday. That’s why Nevada won both.

But on Sunday the ‘pen and the team got a huge lift from Juliene Jones. The versatile sophomore is listed as an outfielder but has played second and third this season. He had a rare hitless game but was impressive with a 1-2-3 ninth for a save.

It might have seemed like a desperation move on the part of Trapasso, looking for arms, any arms, that can throw strikes. But Jones was brought to Manoa with the idea that he would pitch as well as hit, and Trapasso was only hesitant because he didn’t want to overuse one of UH’s best position players.

QUINTIN Torres-Costa is another versatile athlete. The lefty’s return Sunday — after an injury shelved him nearly all of 2013 — was far from perfect but definitely a positive development.

The Rainbow Warriors are a month into their season but still don’t have some key roles defined, largely due to injuries. For instance, freshman Marcus Doi got off to a fast start, but his nagging groin pull has forced a juggled lineup.

Adam Hurley, a part-timer getting more action because of Doi’s absence, came up with the decisive hit. And don’t forget Steve Ventimilia; the veteran second baseman had been benched but is back at the top of the lineup and had three hits Sunday.

"As long as we win that’s the only thing that matters," Jones said. "We’ve got guys everywhere that can fill in any spot and that’s pretty much what this team is. Wherever Coach asks me to go, I’ll go."

UH is just 8-11, but it’s been competitive throughout.

Hawaii is 7-4 against everyone other than Oregon and Texas and was close in most of the games against the Ducks and Longhorns.

Nevada is far from the likes of those teams, but it’s been tenacious enough to battle from behind on the road in those first two games and now UH is scrapping for a series split. If the Rainbow Warriors play a complete game with contributions from as many players this evening as they did on Sunday, they’ll get it.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.