CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.—The University of Hawai`i softball team (9-6) lost its final game of the Cathedral City Classic to No. 2 Arizona, 8-3. Pitcher
Kaia Parnaby (5-3) started the game strong, but suffered the loss throwing just three innings. But the game was highlighted by two solo home runs by
Jenna Rodriguez and
Kelly Majam.
Parnaby threw three-plus innings, giving up six runs on four hits with two walks and two strike outs. She started the game well, after giving up a lead-off walk to start the game, Parnaby retired the next nine batters in a row. But in the fourth inning, the Wildcats' offense came alive to post six straight runs. Two came on a two-run single with the bases loaded by Baillie Kirker. Two batters later, with the bases loaded again, Brigette Del Ponte lowered the boom with a grand slam to centerfield.
Sophomore pitcher,
Stephanie Ricketts, then entered the game in relief of Parnaby and put out the fire, getting a fly-out to left and two ground outs to end the inning. In all, Ricketts threw four innings, giving up two runs on three walks and three strike outs.
The Rainbow Wahine actually took a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning after Rodriguez launched a 3-2 pitch over the right-centerfield fence. It was her fourth home run in her first season at Hawai`i.
Arizona got one more run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single to the left-centerfield gap by Kirker.
Hawai`i responded with a rally of their own in the bottom of the fifth. Arizona's pitcher lost a little control, walking three 'Bows--Kanani Pu`u-Warren, Majam, and
Melissa Gonzalez. Then, with the bases loaded and two-outs, Amanda Tauali`i was hit by the pitch to drive in Pu`u-Warren.
The Wildcats added their eighth and final run in the sixth, on a home run to left by Lini Koria.
UH's
Kelly Majam was able to hit her team-leading sixth home run in the bottom of the sixth, cutting their deficit to 8-3. But that would be the closest the 'Bows would come.
Arizona's Kenzie Fowler (8-0) pitched a complete game and earned her fifth shut-out of the year. In seven innings, she gave up three runs on two hits with seven walks and six strike outs.
Hawai`i's first game of the day against No. 9/12 Oklahoma was cancelled due to inclement weather and will not be made up.
The 'Bows return home after 11-days on the road to host the Bank of Hawaii Invitational with East Carolina, Seattle, and current No. 1 and defending NCAA Champion, Washington, Mar. 5-7.
