Box Score

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i softball team (12-7) advanced to the Bank of Hawaii Invitational Championship Game today by defeating East Carolina, 6-4. Kaia Parnaby tossed five innings and earned the win, while Stephanie Ricketts picked up her first save of the season today at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

 

The 'Bows jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jessica Iwata hit a one-out double and Melissa Gonzalez followed with a single that pushed Iwata to third. With runners at the corners, UH executed a double steal with the throw from the catcher going all the way to second, allowing Iwata to score form third easily.

 

In the fourth, UH added two runs to extend their lead to 3-0. Gonzalez started the rally with a double to leftfield. Amanda Tauali`i was then hit by a pitch and Traci Yoshikawa got a bloop single to second base to load the bases. Jenna Rodriguez then drew a walk to push pinch runner, Brynne Buchanan home from third. Later with one out, Kanani Pu`u-Warren got an RBI after she got beaned, forcing pinch runner Mikalemi Tagab-Cruz home.

 

The Pirates, though, would not give up without a fight. ECU loaded the bases with three singles by Cicely Lopez, Charina Sumner, and Christina Merrida. Then, with two outs, Marina Gusman-Brown came through with a grand slam to take the lead, 4-3.

 

Hawai`i responded in the bottom of the frame, scoring three more runs to take the lead back, 6-4. Iwata led off with a double to the right-centerfield gap. A fielding error off a ground ball hit by Gonzalez left UH with runners at the corners. After a pop-up to the catcher, Yoshikawa came through with a single to left to drive in Iwata and later with two outs, Alex Aguirre got another single to left to drive in Gonzalez. UH again was left with runners at the corners and another double steal. Aguirre got into a run-down between first and second, allowing Yoshikawa to scoot home for UH's sixth run.

 

East Carolina started a rally in the top of the sixth, getting a lead-off double to left by Vanessa Moreno. Cristen Aona then was hit by the pitch to put runners at first and second with no outs. UH pitcher, Ricketts then entered the game in relief and retired all six batters she faced to end the game.

 

Parnaby threw five-plus innings, giving up four runs on six hits with a walk and three strike outs. Ricketts threw two complete innings and struck out the side in the seventh to earn the save.

 

For ECU, Toni Paisley tossed a complete game, giving up six runs on seven hits with a walk and five strike outs.

 

UH will now face No. 1 Washington, who defeated Seattle 11-2 in five innings, at 4:00 pm for the tourney championship.