SAN DIEGO—San Diego could not complete a late comeback and fell to Hawaii, 5-2, on Wednesday evening at Fowler Park.
 
After the Toreros fell behind 3-1, the Rainbow Warriors (17-20) extended their lead adding two runs in the top of the ninth. It appeared as if USD (25-17) would mount a comeback when Adam Kerner hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-2.
 
With two outs, Connor Doyle singled to left-center field bringing Ripken Reyes to the plate. Reyes battled to a 3-2 count but struck out swinging to end the rally.
 
UH put up a run in the first on an RBI single, but the Toreros answered one inning later when Cody Jefferis singled to right field to score Paul Kunst from third. Hawaii added a run in the third and one more in the sixth and maintained a 3-1 lead into the final inning.
 
It was a game of missed opportunities for the Toreros, who collected 11 hits in the contest and left nine runners on base.
 
Stephen Dubb and Jeff Houghtby both finished with a double for USD. Houghtby went 2-for-4 on the day, while Kunst finished 2-for-3 with a run. Kerner's ninth inning home run was his sixth of the season--a team-high for the Toreros.
 
It was a staff day for the Toreros on the mound, with Cade Brown (1-1) getting the start for USD. Brown went two innings giving up two runs on three hits and one walk and two hit batters.
 
Jake Reed pitched 2.1 solid innings as well, giving up three hits, no walks and two strikeouts and Nicola Mislinski collected three strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work. Collectively, USD's pitching staff allowed nine hits and four earned runs, with six walks, eight strikeouts and four hit batters.
 
The Toreros will hit the road this weekend to face Saint Mary's in a weekend conference series beginning Friday at 3 p.m. PT.