LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — In a wild Big West Conference game defined by a chaotic first inning and a dramatic late home run, Long Beach State outlasted Hawaii 7-6 on Saturday at Blair Field.

The Dirtbags, who entered the game with a 4-13 record, overcame an early four-run deficit and then held off a ninth-inning rally by the Warriors to secure just their fifth win of the season. Hawaii, which had routed Long Beach State 11-1 a day earlier, fell to 9-6.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the first inning, immediately after Hawaii had been retired in order. Long Beach State’s Cole Goldenetz led off with a double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Ty Evans. Trotter Enright’s groundout brought home Goldenetz for the Dirtbags’ first run.

After a walk to Connor Toomey, first baseman Dylan Lina stepped to the plate with two runners on. Lina launched a three-run homer to deep left field, erasing Hawaii’s early advantage and giving Long Beach State a 4-0 lead before many in the crowd of 1,247 had settled into their seats. That swing provided the crucial early counterpunch and set the tone for the back-and-forth contest.

Hawaii responded immediately in the top of the second. Jordan Ickes doubled and later scored on a single by Elijah Shimao. After a sacrifice bunt, catcher Jake Redding delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 4-4.

The Warriors reclaimed the lead in the third. A sacrifice fly by Austin Nushida scored Gabe Wright, and Kody Watanabe followed with an RBI double to make it 6-4. Watanabe finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Long Beach State answered decisively in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on control issues by Hawaii’s pitching staff. The Dirtbags loaded the bases on a single and two hit batters. After a pitching change, Justin Borgogno drew a walk to force in a run. Goldenetz was then hit by a pitch with the bases still loaded, bringing in the go-ahead run. Another run scored on a fielder’s choice, giving Long Beach State a 7-6 lead it would not relinquish.

From there, the game transformed into a battle of bullpens. Long Beach State starter Luke Howe settled in after the early trouble, working seven innings and allowing five earned runs on nine hits to earn the win. The victory was preserved by stellar relief work from Tyler Gebb and Alex Ramos.

Hawaii reliever Saul Soto was brilliant in keeping his team close, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings of hitless relief, striking out three. Teammate Tsubasa Tomii added a perfect eighth inning.

Gebb pitched a perfect eighth for Long Beach State, striking out one. Ramos entered for the ninth and immediately surrendered a solo home run to Hawaii’s Wright, cutting the lead to 7-6. Dallas ZeiglerNamoa followed with a single, bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate. But Ramos struck out Ickes and got Nushida to ground out to end the game, securing his first save.

Despite out-hitting Long Beach State 11-6, Hawaii stranded several key runners and was hampered by its two errors. The Dirtbags capitalized on their opportunities, drawing seven walks and being hit by three pitches.

The teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday. Hawaii will look to win the series before traveling to face UC Santa Barbara next weekend. Long Beach State, which snapped a four-game losing streak, hosts a doubleheader against Loyola Marymount on Tuesday.