After a week of highs that included pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno's dominant one-hit shutout with 16 strikeouts, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are resetting their focus for a critical Big West road series against UC Davis. Head coach Rich Hill knows emotions can run high after such a performance, so he turned to music to keep his team grounded.

During a team meeting this week, Hill played the Wheeland Brothers' acoustic version of "Watching Waves," using its lyrics—"Packed my bags and moved into the moment… find yourself and lose your destination"—as a rallying cry. "Our bags are packed for the present moment," Hill explained. "It's a good visual to understand that we have to bring ourselves right back here, where our feet are."

For Magdaleno, who earned national accolades and posed with UH pitching legends Derek Tatsuno and Gerald Ako after his career night, the focus is back on the grind. "Getting back to my routine as quick as I can," said the right-hander, who will start today's series opener at Phil Swimley Field. He's already back to weight training and studying video of UC Davis batters.

At 13-11 in the Big West, the 'Bows are tied for fourth place with Cal State Fullerton, holding the tiebreaker advantage. With just six games left in the regular season, the top five teams qualify for the Big West Tournament—and Hawaii is in a strong position to make the cut. Cal State Northridge sits two games back, adding urgency to every pitch.

UC Davis, meanwhile, closes its regular season with this series. The Aggies are in seventh place at 12-15 and face a tough challenge against a UH team riding a five-game winning streak. "Somebody has to have a bye, and having it the final week is definitely different," said UCD coach Tommy Nicholson. "All we're worried about this weekend is Hawaii and doing the best we can."

The Aggies will need to slow down a red-hot Hawaii lineup, anchored by co-aces Magdaleno and Hekili Robello, plus an improved offense. Right-hander Brody Martin-Grudzielanek has been a weapon against Big West teams, posting a 3.27 ERA and averaging 8.18 strikeouts per nine innings. While he's excelled as a closer, head coach Hill sees even more potential. "I'd love to see him penciled into that lineup as a starting pitcher on Sunday," Hill said. "But it's winning time, and it's game by game. You do what you have to do to win. He's a premium arm—his breaking stuff has really come on, and his competitiveness is off the charts. The moment doesn't faze him."

As the Rainbow Warriors hit the road, the message is clear: stay present, stay focused, and let the results follow.