HONOLULU (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth affair that defied pregame projections, the Cal Poly Mustangs outlasted the Hawaii Warriors 10-7 in 11 innings in a Big West Conference baseball game Saturday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

The game, which featured 28 combined hits and a dramatic late-inning rally by the home team, was ultimately decided by a clutch three-run triple from Cal Poly first baseman Jake Downing in the top of the 11th.

Cal Poly improved to 7-7 overall and 2-0 in the Big West, while Hawaii dropped to 8-4 and 0-2.

The Mustangs appeared to be in firm control for much of the contest, building an early lead with the help of Hawaii fielding miscues. In the first inning, Cam Hoiland and Ryan Tayman delivered RBI doubles, both runs unearned after a throwing error by the Warriors’ shortstop. Cal Poly added another unearned run in the second when an error on another double allowed Jake Downing to score.

Cal Poly starter Corden Pettey was the story through the middle innings, stifling the Warriors’ offense after entering in relief during the first inning following an injury delay. Pettey, named the top star for Cal Poly, pitched 6 2/3 innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out 10 while surrendering three earned runs. His dominant stretch from the second through seventh innings allowed the Mustangs to maintain their lead.

The Mustangs extended their advantage to 6-1 in the sixth on a two-run double by Alejandro Garza. Hawaii began its comeback in the eighth, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring five runs to tie the game. The big blow was a two-run double by Kamana Nahaku that knotted the score at 6-6.

Cal Poly regained the lead in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Braxton Thomas, but Hawaii answered in the bottom half. Draven Nushida, who had three hits, scored on a wild pitch to even the score again at 7-7.

After a scoreless 10th, Cal Poly’s offense erupted in the 11th. With two on and one out, Downing cleared the bases with a triple to left-center field, providing the final margin. Brady Estes, who relieved in the ninth, earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief, striking out three.

The most important part of the game was Hawaii’s five-run eighth inning, which completely erased a 6-1 deficit and transformed a potential Cal Poly rout into a nail-biting finish. The rally, which featured four hits and capitalized on a pitching change, shifted all momentum to the Warriors and set the stage for the extra-inning drama.

Hawaii starter Hekili Robello took a no-decision, allowing one earned run over 4 2/3 innings. Warriors reliever Tsubasa Tomii provided 2 1/3 innings of one-hit ball to keep his team close.

The teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday.