HONOLULU — The Hawaii baseball team has an opportunity to take a series against a nationally ranked opponent after its offense erupted in a 15-7 defeat of No. 15 UC Santa Barbara at Les Murakami Stadium on Saturday night.

Itsuki Takemoto, Friday night’s starter, appeared at designated hitter the next night and led the way with a three-run blast that broke the game open, 9-3 in the fourth inning, as UH (13-5, 2-3 Big West) dealt the Gauchos (15-3, 4-1) their first conference loss of the season. The teams will meet in the series rubber match at 1:05 p.m. Sunday.

Takemoto was one of six Rainbow Warriors to have a multi-hit game. The Japanese star drove in four, while right fielder Jared Quandt was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored.

UH’s 16 hits came across the first five innings as Gauchos starter Jackson Flora was chased in the fourth inning.

Liam O’Brien got the start for UH and saw his scoreless innings streak come to an end in the 14th inning; he was charged with three.

Coach Rich Hill turned to his top two relievers, Freddy Rodriguez and Isaiah Magdaleno, to hold the lead. Rodriguez (2-0) gave up four runs (two earned) but picked up the victory and Madaleno struck out six with just one hit allowed over three innings to get his second save of the season.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.