Box Score

LAS VEGAS—The University of Hawai'i softball team (4-2) opened the 2010 Louisville-Slugger Desert Classic with an 11-8 win over previously undefeated Utah (5-1) at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. The 'Bows erased an early, five run deficit with the help of three home runs, while Stephanie Ricketts (2-2) evened her record with her second win of the season.

 

Ricketts has complete all four of the games she's started this season. In her career she has not complete 31 games in 34 starts. Today, she gave up eight runs on 10 hits with a season-high nine strike outs and no walks.

 

Hawai'i got off to a rough start, spotting the Utes a 5-0 lead in the top of the first. Brooke Olson led the game off with a single through the leftside of the infield. She promptly stole second and then came home on a double to centerfield by Hannah Clements. Whitney Holm then kept the rally going, with a ground ball to short. A fielding error allowed Clements to score as Holm stayed on second. Then back-to-back home runs to leftfield by Kara Foster and Jasey Jensen put Utah up 5-0.

 

But The 'Bows responded immediately, posting three runs of their own in the bottom of the first, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Jenna Rodriguez got things going with a one-out single up the middle. Melissa Gonzalez then drew a walk to put runners at first and second. A fielder's choice hit to short by Makani Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu erased Rodriguez at third, but Amanda Tauali'i then launched a three-run home run over the rightfield fence. It was Tauali'i's second round-tripper of the year and her 19^th of her career.

 

After a three-up, three-down, top of the second on defense, the 'Bows knotted the score at 5-5 in the bottom of the second. After a ground-out, Dara Pagaduan drove a single through the rightside of the infield and then came home as Kelly Majam launched her second home run of the year to straight-away center.

 

The Rainbow Wahine then grabbed the lead in the third, 7-5. Tauali'i drew a walk to start the inning. She moved to second on a single to third by Traci Yoshikawa. With runners at first and second, Alex Aguirre then came through with a double to center to score pinch-runner Tasha Pagdilao. On the play, a fielding error on the centerfielder allowed Yoshikawa to score from first, but Aguirre was gunned down trying to advance to third. Utah pitcher Joni Cook then relieved Utah starter Ashley Smuda after another walk. Cook though loaded the bases on two more walks, but then got a ground out and a foul-out to end the rally.

 

The Utes battled back to reclaim the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs to go ahead, 8-7. Kelsi Hoopiiaina led off with a double to right-centerfield. After a pop up to third, Clements got her second hit of the game with an RBI single to right to score Hoopiiaina. Holm followed with a single up the middle that pushed Clements to second, and a wild pitch pushed both into scoring position. Foster then hit a ground ball to second, but a throwing error allowed Clements to score. Later, Tia Palauni hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Holm from third, but on the play Jensen got into a rundown to end the top of the fifth.

 

In the bottom half of the fifth, however, UH answered right back scoring four runs to retake the lead. Aguirre reached first on a fielding error on the third baseman and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After a ground out, pinch-hitter Jessica Iwata earned a walk and Aguirre scooted to third on a wild pitch. With runners at the corners, Majam came through with a clutch single up the middle that pushed Aguirre across the plate, knotting the game at 8-8. But the 'Bows didn't stop there. Rodriguez then stepped up and hit her first career home run for the Rainbow Wahine. The two-run blast sailed over the leftfield fence and put UH up for good, 11-8.

 

The Utes' ace, Smuda, dropped her first game of the season, lowering her record to 5-1. She threw 2.1 innings giving up seven runs on six hits with four walks and two strike outs. Reliever, Cook threw the final 3.2 innings, holding the 'Bows to four runs on three hits with five walks and three strike outs.

Hawai'i was led at the plate by Majam, who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, three RBI, and a home run. Rodriguez also contributed greatly, giong 2-5 with a two-run home run that sealed the win. Meanwhile, Tauali'i continued to hit solidly, launching a three run blast in the first that removed some of the sting from giving up five runs in the top of the first. 

The 'Bows now face UNLV (4-1) later tonight at Eller Media Stadium as the Louisville-Slugger Desert Classic continues through Sunday, Feb. 21.