Scott Sobczak knows how to close out opponents.

San Jose State's closer until last week pitched a complete-game six-hitter in a 9-1 win against Hawai'i last night in the Western Athletic Conference series opener.

A Les Murakami Stadium crowd of 1,871 watched the Spartans (17-11 overall, 2-2 WAC) beat the Rainbows (21-10, 2-2) in every phase.

Sobczak (3-1) didn't allow a run until the ninth and finished off the game by getting Matt Roquemore to ground into a double play. He walked none and struck out six.

"It was nice to put up zeroes the whole time," Sobczak, a sophomore who transferred from Skyline JC. "I'm not trying to strikeout guys, not trying to do too much. Just put the ball in play."

Sobczak had been the team's closer with a team-leading five saves.

"It was nice to get extended again, like I did a year ago," said the right-hander, who made some starts at Skyline.

Sobczak was moved into the rotation to help solve the Spartans' rotation issues.

"He was in the strike zone and that gave us an opportunity," SJSU coach Sam Piraro said. "They hit some balls hard, right at people. That made it more difficult for them, obviously."

Sobczak used 113 pitches. A UH runner didn't reach third base until the ninth.

"His pitch count was way down, so things were falling in place from that standpoint," Piraro said of the complete game. "It's been a process where we've been building his arm strength along. Now, did I expect a complete game? No, I thought if we could get six innings from him that would be quite an achievement. But he had some short innings in there."

It was an uncharacteristic outing for UH's Ian Harrington (4-5), who lasted two-plus innings, allowing five runs, four hits and three walks.

The Spartans sent eight batters to the plate in the first, ignited by Chris Balatico's lead-off single and highlighted with a three-run double by Brian Chase.

"I came out flat last year when we came out," said the 2003 Mililani graduate. "I was too excited. This time I stayed even-keel. There's always going to be fans (here), so you have to stay easy. We stuck to our game plan and our approach. We got Ian out early. That's what we wanted to do."

Balatico, who was 2 for 5, including an RBI double, had a large contingent of family members and Mililani classmates at the game.

"It makes me feel good every time I come home and play," he said.

For Hawai'i, Sobczak wasn't the only problem. It was just one of those nights the Rainbows will have to bury before tonight's game.

"Wasn't anybody's day," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We shouldn't have gotten out of bed today. It's just one of those days you have to forget about, go back to work tomorrow and use it as an opportunity to show how prideful and professional we are as a team and show San Jose and everybody here we're a lot better than we showed today."

The Rainbows had six hits, but had some hard-hit balls go for outs.

"We had more hard-hit balls today than we've had in the last four, five games combined," Trapasso said. "But they made the plays. I tip my hat. They kicked our butts. That's all there was to it."

The Rainbows also committed four errors, leading to two unearned runs.

Jason Kramer pitched three innings, allowing a run. Because he threw 31 pitches, Trapasso said he could return tonight if needed. Nick Rhodes threw four innings, allowing three runs (one earned), four hits and no walks with two strikeouts.

"I'm very happy for (Rhodes) because we can use him, throwing like he did," Trapasso said.

On top of not playing well, second baseman Jon Hee twisted his ankle in the dugout between innings and was replaced by Kevin Macdonald in the seventh inning.

Trapasso said Hee should be OK to play tonight. Also, center fielder Brandon Haislet had his right ankle iced after the game. He said he hurt it running on the bases during the game. He said it was minor and he will be OK to play tonight.

Game time is 6:35. Mark Rodrigues (6-1) will start for UH against SJSU' s Spencer Snodgrass (2-2).

Note: Ian Harrington caught a flight home after the game for bereavement purposes, UH coach Mike Trapasso said. Harrington, who is from Washington, will meet the team in Sacramento, where UH opens a three-game series Thursday.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.