"It wasn't pretty, but we won and that's all that matters," Macdonald said. "I'm just glad we came out with a win because we played (poorly) today."

The final game of a four-game series isn't expected to be a gem. The Rainbows committed two errors in the Hornets' three-run first inning against starter Josh Schneider.

But UH was able to cash in two walks in the bottom of the first inning on Jeff Van Doornum's two-run double off Hornets' starter Corey Weglin to pull to 3-2.

While the Hornets added two in the fourth, the Rainbows were being silenced by Weglin from the second through sixth innings.

But in the seventh, Vinnie Catricala led off with a single and later went to second on Weglin's pick-off throwing error. Asato then drilled a fastball over the right-field wall.

"It's my first game back (since a hamstring pull March 15 at UC Irvine)," said Asato, who was making only his fifth start of the season. "It's great."

"I think that his home run energized us because we were flat," Trapasso said. "His home run got our energy back and got us going. I think it was as much people being happy for him as they were for our team ... (him) getting us back in the game."

An out later, Matt Roquemore singled to end Weglin's day. Left-hander Tommy Elrod came in to face the left-handed hitting Greg Garcia, whose single moved Roquemore to third. Elrod was replaced by Jeff Roth, who got Jon Hee to hit a potential double-play grounder to short. Hee beat the relay throw to first, allowing the tying run to score and prompting Smith to argue the call that led to his ejection.

"It was important that we answered late in the game," Hee said. "It brought energy in the dugout. It shows we're not going to give up."

But the Hornets showed energy of their own with two runs in the eighth against Jayson Kramer. It might have been worse if right fielder Van Doornum hadn't thrown out a runner at the plate.

The Rainbows squandered an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth. Van Doornum reached on shortstop Blake Crosby's throwing error on a close play that led to Barbara's ejection. Macdonald walked, but Catricala failed to sacrifice the runners and eventually struck out. Asato then grounded into an inning-ending double play.

After Corey Kahn (3-2) pitched a scoreless ninth, UH started its rally in the bottom half.

Landon Hernandez hustled for an infield single. Pinch runner Kevin Fujii advanced to second when Roquemore grounded out to first.

Garcia's RBI single pulled UH to 7-6. Garcia took second on Hee's single before Brandon Haislet popped out to first. But Roth (2-2), the Hornets' closer with four saves, walked Van Doornum to load the bases.

Roth's first pitch hit Macdonald, who was told he "leaned into the pitch," bringing out Trapasso.

"(The umpire) did a good job of, frankly, settling me down because I was ready to go absolutely bananas," Trapasso said.

Three pitches later, Macdonald drove home Garcia and Hee.

"I thought our kids played really well," Smith said. "I thought we deserved to win, but that's not how it ended up."

Trapasso said both teams played "Sunday tough."

"We were fortunate to bat last, I think," he said.