HONOLULU (Interstat) — The surging Hawaii Warriors look to continue their best start in years when they host the Cal Poly Mustangs in a Big West Conference baseball matchup Saturday at Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

Hawaii (8-2) has won eight of its last nine games and is coming off a dominant 6-0 win over Ball State on March 1, highlighted by a stellar outing from ace Liam O’Brien. The right-hander tossed eight shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. He will be a key figure again as the Warriors aim to build on their strong early-season form.

Cal Poly (5-7) seeks consistency after a mixed opening month. The Mustangs are fresh off a 12-2 rout of Pepperdine on Tuesday but dropped their conference opener to Hawaii, 8-0, on Friday night. A bright spot has been reliever Josh Morano, who delivered four scoreless innings with six strikeouts against Pepperdine. However, his two prior appearances were rough, yielding seven earned runs over 3 2/3 combined innings against Southern California and Washington State.

The Warriors’ lineup, which supported O’Brien with a 12-hit attack in his last start, will challenge a Cal Poly pitching staff that has been volatile. Shortstop Elijah Ickes, who went 3 for 4 with a home run last Sunday, anchors Hawaii’s offense.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Hawaii is projected to win 7-4. The teams will conclude the three-game series Sunday.

Probable Starters: HAW: RHP Liam O’Brien (Last start: W, 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 K vs. Ball State, March 1). CP: TBA.

Up Next: The series finale is scheduled for Sunday. Cal Poly then returns to California to host Fresno State on Tuesday. Hawaii remains at home to face the Mustangs before traveling to Long Beach State for a conference series next weekend.