For the third time in the NAPA Auto Parts Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament, Hawai'i's offense was non-existent to support its strong pitching.

Three-time defending tournament champion Fresno State knocked off the Rainbows, 10-3, yesterday to oust the hosts from the double-elimination tournament at Les Murakami Stadium.

Danny Muno reached down for a low fastball and scooped it for a two-run home run to center in the top of the seventh to snap a 2-all tie and send the Bulldogs to today's championship at noon. They will have to win two today to claim the title to secure the league's automatic NCAA tournament berth.

For whatever reason, the Rainbows labored down the stretch of the season after a promising start that eventually got them a 20th national ranking from Baseball America. But after a sweep by Louisiana Tech April 30 to May 3, consistency became a struggle and continued into the tournament. There was a point in the season where UH was a strong candidate for an at-large berth because of sub-30 Ratings Percentage Index because of relatively good success against a strong non-conference schedule. But by tournament time, it was becoming apparent the Rainbows would have to win the title outright. Hawai'i (32-26) dropped 11 of its last 17.

"Very disappointing," UH coach Mike Trapasso said of the way the season ended. "Nothing you can do but you have to work on making sure it doesn't happen again."

Which raised the question if there would be an "again" for Trapasso, whose contract expires at the end of June. He declined comment. Hawai'i athletics director Jim Donovan said he will meet with the coach this week and he also declined further comment.

Whatever the future, the 2009's team's ended when Sean Montplaisir flied out to left, leaving the bases loaded after one run scored in the bottom of the ninth. A microcosm of UH's offense during the tournament. The Rainbows were held to eight hits — the fifth game in a row they've been under double digits — and could not take advantage of eight walks by Bulldogs' pitching. Hawai'i stranded 12 runners, seven in scoring position.

"We just didn't swing," Trapasso said. "We didn't make anything happen offensively all three games. But those things happen. And when those things happen you have to pitch the whole nine innings to keep yourself in it. We couldn't do that today."

It was unfortunate because UH starting pitcher Jared Alexander might have had his best outing this season. He battled with FSU starter Josh Poytress even through six innings. But with the game tied at 2 and one out in the top of the seventh, Isacc Vivas grounded a single to left. Then on a 2-1 offering to Muno, the Bulldogs' leadoff hitter swooped for the low fastball and all UH center fielder Kolten Wong could do was watch it sail over the fence. Muno, who had doubled in his previous at-bat, complimented Alexander's performance.

"He's a phenomenal pitcher," Muno said. "He's pitched this good all year. You gotta tip your hat to him. He was pitching good all game."

Alexander also was complimentary of Muno.

"He's a good hitter," said Alexander, who allowed four runs, nine hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. "It was a fastball, low and away. He just put a good swing on it."

Trapasso was proud of Alexander's outing. Alexander was pitching with a blister that developed during the game and tried to keep it closed with super glue, he said.

"He probably made more good pitches (yesterday) than he's made all year," Trapasso said. "He kept us in it."

Although he was pulled when with FSU up 4-2, the bullpen could not stop the bleeding. Sam Spangler gave up two runs in one-third of an inning, Josh Slaats gave up two without recording an out and Lenny Linsky gave up two in 1 2/3. Connor Little faced two batters, retiring one and walking the other.

The left-handed Poytress went 5 1/3 innings for the Bulldogs, allowing two runs (one earned), four hits and five walks with one strikeout. Fresno State coach Mike Batesole used relief pitchers Gene Escat, a right-hander, and left-hander Tom Harlan to gain lefty-righty advantages, although it only worked for the latter when he got the left-handed hitting Wong to ground out with runners at corners in the seventh, when UH still trailed by two. Harlan allowed a ninth-inning run in 2 1/3 innings for his first save.

The Rainbows did enter the tournament with injuries to outfielder/DH Jeffrey Van Doornum (shoulder) and catcher Landon Hernandez (wrist). Van Doornum did start at DH yesterday, but went 0-3 with a walk. Kevin Fujii caught the entire tournament for Hernandez and his three hits (3 for 9) was the second-highest among UH hitters, one behind Vinnie Catricala (4 for 10).

"I just came in, did my part, backed up Landon," said Fujii, a junior who might have made a statement for a starting job next season. "I got my chance and tried to make the most of it. No regrets. Gotta have fun with it."

As for the Bulldogs, they will try to win their fourth consecutive WAC title in their fourth different venue. They hosted the tournament is 2006, won at Nevada in 2007 and at Louisiana Tech last year.