HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i softball team (10-6) overpowered Seattle tonight, 9-1 in a mercy-rule shortened, five inning game on a rainy, blustery opening night of the Bank of Hawaii Invitational.
Stephanie Ricketts (4-3) earned the win, striking out a season high 10 batters in a complete game effort.
Ricketts scattered four hits, gave up one run with a walk and faced 23 batters. Her 10 strike outs was one shy of her career best of 11 in eight innings against then No. 1 Alabama in last season's Cathedral City Classic.
The 'Bows jumped out to a quick _ lead in the first inning. Seattle's starting pitcher, Kelsey Reynolds walked both
Jessica Iwata and Gonzalez, and Tauali`i cashed in as she lined a double to the right-centerfield gap to score both Iwata and Gonzalez. Later, Taualii came home after a throwing error on the Redhawks' third baseman, allowed Rodriguez to reach first safely. The 'Bows took a 3-0 lead into the second.
Hawaii added one run in the second inning. Puu-Warren led the second inning off with her second home run of the season.
The 'Bows pulled away in the fourth, posting five runs on six consecutive hits. Hawaii started the inning with back-to-back singles from
Kelly Majam and Iwata. Gonzalez followed by launching her fifth homer of the season high over the leftfield fence. The 'Bows kept things going with a single to right by Tauali`i. Pinch-runner
Brynne Buchanan then came home on an RBI double to left by pinch-hitter,
Makani Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu.
Jenna Rodriguez then traded placed with Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu with a double of her own to the left-centerfield gap, pushing the lead to 9-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Redhawks posted one run in the top of the fifth. Katie Antich got a hit to center to lead the inning off. Later, with two outs, Jessica Amador hit a high fly to center. On the play, Majam made a nice play and gloved it, but it popped out after crashing into the fence, allowing Antich to score from first.
Seattle's Reynolds took the loss, giving up eight runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings of work. Hannah Klein closed the game, giving up one run on two hits before getting the final two outs of the game.
Hawaii continues the tournament tomorrow with a doubleheader against East Carolina and No. 1 Washington at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. respectively. The Invitational starts the day at 12:00 pm with East Carolina against Seattle and then Washington plays the Redhawks at 2:00 p.m.
