Nick Moresi's three-run home run in the second inning was one of six extra-base hits by the Bulldogs (12-11 WAC, 24-28 overall), who clinched the season series with the Rainbows (12-11, 29-19), and pulled into a tie for third with them. Both are a half-game behind second-place Nevada (12-10), which lost 14-1 to No. 4 Rice (18-3) yesterday. The Owls lead the Wolf Pack by a commanding 6 1/2 games.

It was another frustrating night for the Rainbows, who trail in the season series against FSU, 4-1.

"We come out, take two from Rice, and then lose two to these guys," UH co-captain Andrew Sansaver said. "It's as if those games (against Rice) don't even matter now. We have to play to our full potential the whole way out."

"It's just all around," UH coach Mike Trapasso said of his team's skid. "We're not getting enough hits and we're giving up too many. (Thursday) night, we kept shooting ourselves in the foot when we had opportunities. Tonight, we never really did (have opportunities). We just got spanked, and we have to play better than that."

Besides 35 wins, the Rainbows also need to finish second in the conference if they want consideration for a postseason bid. But the Bulldogs, who began the series in fourth, could find themselves in sole possession of second with a win today and a sweep by Rice over Nevada.

"We know they're an outstanding club, they're a regional team," Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said of UH. "I think they're going to be in a regional, but let's hope they go out and get hot again next weekend."

Adding to UH's difficulty is seven of its final games are on the road.

A Les Murakami Stadium crowd of 1,927 watched a UH starter get chased early for the second consecutive night. Stephen Bryant (7-4) lasted 31/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

"From the get go, he had no command," Trapasso said of Bryant. "Everything was up in the zone, and the sad thing is we couldn't get him out of there quick enough. The kid's been great for us all year. You're going to have bad outings. It just came at an inopportune time for us."

Steven Wright finished for Bryant, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.

"I think it's the best he's thrown all year," Trapasso said.

Brandon Miller (5-3), who went three innings in a no-decision in a win against UH at Fresno, went six innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks with one strikeout. Michael Cooper finished the final three innings, allowing two runs, one earned, for his second save.

"He had a good two-seamer going today, and what Brandon does best is he pitches inside, and a lot of left-handers don't do that," Batesole said.

Four times the Bulldogs started an inning with an extra-base hit, scoring in three of them. Ryan Haag was 3 for 4 with two doubles, including one to start the game, when he eventually scored on a sacrifice fly. He also had two RBIs. Besides the home run, Moresi scored after his lead-off double in the fourth. DeAndre Miller scored on a sacrifice fly after leading off the sixth with a triple that got by center field Josh Green, who made a dive at the ball.

The only lead-off extra base hit not cashed in was when Richie Robnett extended his hitting streak to 26 with a double in the third.

The Rainbows will try to avoid a sweep at 1:05 p.m. today in their final home game of the season. Clary Carlsen (6-6, 4.31) will start for UH against FSU's Matt Scott (2-1, 7.27), who pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Thursday.

Notes: Pal Eldredge was presented the Chuck Leahey Award prior to last night's game. Although known for his color analysis on the UH baseball broadcasts, Eldredge has made numerous contributions to promoting baseball. Besides coaching (at Punahou and Brigham Young and a number of youth leagues), he has conducted youth baseball clinics, given Open Day speeches for youth leagues, and served as a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Major League Scouting Bureau. He has been doing color on KFVE for 21 seasons. ... Hawai'i will honor its seven seniors today: First baseman Sansaver, center fielder Green, left fielder Jaziel Mendoza, shortstop Brian Finegan, catcher Creighton Kahoali'i, and pitchers Carlsen and Chuck Withers.