No. 22 Oregon baseball took all the time it needed to find its offense, but edged Hawaii 3-2 in a thrilling finale to the four game season opening series at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Hawaii (1-3) kept the Ducks (3-1) off the scoreboard until the ninth inning and got the winning run on base in the bottom of the frame, but couldn’t prevent Oregon’s  comeback.
Hawaii’s starter Kyle Von Ruden posted 5.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts, two walks and just four hits allowed, then turned the ball over to his bullpen, which kept Oregon at bay until the final inning.
Trailing 2-0, Phil Craig-St. Louis started the ninth with a seven pitch walk and advanced to second on a Jakob Goldfarb pinch-hit infield single. Steven Packard bunted the runners into scoring position, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate.
J.B. Bryant delivered the first RBI of the game on a fielder’s choice, setting up pinch-hitter Tim Susnara with one out and the bases loaded.
Susanna came through with the big hit, singling through the right side to tie the game at 2-2.
After blowing the save, Hawaii’s reliever Eric Gleese (0-1) had to face the heart of the Oregon lineup with the game on the line.
Mitchell Tolman kept the rally going with another RBI single to the right, giving Oregon its first lead in 18 innings at 3-2.
In the bottom half of the ninth, Garrett Cleavinger ran into trouble.
The closer walked the first batter he faced and watched him advance to second on a sacrifice bunt. During the next at bat, a passed ball moved the tying run up to third base with only one out.
Cleavinger (2) set up a double play opportunity with an intentional walk, but ended up not needing it. The lefty worked back-to-back pop ups to strand the tying run at third and end the game.
Oregon’s fourth starter Jack Karraker didn’t pick up the win, but was impressive in his 5.0 innings of work. Karraker allowed seven hits, but limited the ‘Bows to just two runs on 76 pitches.
Stephen Nogosek (1-0) came in for Karraker in the sixth and picked up the win with a dominant three innings of scoreless relief.
Heading into the final inning, Brandon Cuddy was Oregon’s lone bright spot on offense with a single and a double against the stingy Hawaii pitching staff.
With the win, Oregon secured its first series win of the young season and has to feel good about how it picked itself up after two tough days at the plate.
The Ducks will return to Eugene this week for its home opener against New Mexico State at P.K. Park on Thursday night.
Follow Josh Schlichter on Twitter @joshschlichter