New Mexico State Series Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (25-11, WAC 3-0) hits the road this week and will play nine games, in three different states, in eight days. The 'Bows start their journey in Las Cruces, N.M., where they will battle New Mexico State (17-13, WAC 0-3) in a three-game, Western Athletic Conference series. Hawai'i will play a doubleheader on April 3 starting at 5:00 p.m. and finish the series with a single game on Sunday, Apr. 4 at 2:00 p.m.

 

The Rainbow Wahine opened their WAC season this past weekend with a series sweep over San Jose State. UH and SJSU were locked into a 10 inning batting in the opening game, with the 'Bows coming out on top, 3-2 in their longest game of the season. Hawai'i then swept Saturday's doubleheader, 7-3 and 7-1 to take the series.

 

A combination of freshmen and seniors led UH offensively in the WAC opener. Seniors Katie Grimes and Kanani Pu'u-Warren were key catalysts in all three wins. Grimes went 4-for-9 for a .444 average, while Pu'u-Warren hit .429 (3-for-7) with a two-run home run. She also led the team with a .600 on-base percentage. Freshman shortstop, Jessica Iwata led the 'Bows in the series, hitting an even .500 (6-for-12) with a team-high three doubles. Iwata also scored a run and drove in four. Fellow freshman, Kelly Majam, hit .385 (5-for-13) with three home runs. She was also clutch, driving in the opening game's winning run in the bottom of the 10th. In all, Majam crossed the plate four times and drove in seven runs, which were both team-highs.

 

Majam, UH's centerfielder and lead-off hitter, now leads the nation with 18 home runs tied with Georgia Tech's stellar senior, Jen Yee. Majam continues to lead UH batting average (.393), runs (38), hits (46), triples (2), RBI (33), and home runs. Her 18 home runs pushes her within three of UH's single-season record of 21, held by former UH All-American, Kate Robinson. It is the most a freshman has ever hit at UH (former record was 15 by former All-American and Australian Olympian, Stacey Porter). Junior third baseman, Melissa Gonzalez, continues to post solid numbers at the plate, hitting .364 (40-for-110) with five doubles, a triple, and nine home runs, and Iwata is third on the team with a .330 average and a team-high 11 doubles.

 

In the circle for the 'Bows, the one-two combination of sophomore Stephanie Ricketts and freshman, Kaia Parnaby, continues to pay dividends. Ricketts, the reigning Verizon Wireless WAC Pitcher of the Week, is 11-6 overall and 2-0 in conference action. Overall, Ricketts has a 2.36 ERA with 14 complete games and 121.2 innings pitched. This past week, Ricketts notched a 2-0 record, tossing a pair of complete games, including a season-high, 10 innings affair. Ricketts scattered 11 hits in 17 innings, giving up three runs for a 0.41 ERA. Parnaby, enters this week with a 13-5 record, and is 1-0 in the WAC. Parnaby has tossed six shut-outs and has a 2.05 ERA in 102.2 innings pitched. She leads UH with 127 strike outs to just 28 walks.

 

New Mexico State enters the series with a 17-13 record and is currently 0-3 in WAC games after a tough outing at Boise State this past week. The high-octane Aggies offense is hitting .333 as a team and has 10-of-15 batters hitting over .300. Junior utility player, Kylie Randall is the only player to start all 30 games for NMSU thus far. She leads all hitters with a .423 average (45-for-104). The speedy lefty-hitter also leads NMSU with 29 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. Junior infielder, Hoku Nohara is right behind Randall with a .423 average (30-for-71) with a team-high nine doubles, seven home runs, and has come through for NMSU with runners on base with 32 RBI. Junior outfielder, Kandis Jones is hitting .353 with 19 runs scored and three doubles and Ashley Maroda has six home runs and 18 RBI for the Aggies. Look out for Tiare Jennings, who has scored 28 runs and Angie Ortega who has driven in 18 runs with six homers.

 

The pitching staff of the Aggies is comprised of seven players who have seen time in the circle. Leading the charge is Carissa Theis has tossed the most innings, with 51.2 under her belt. She is 5-4 this season with a 5.42 ERA and a team high 43 strike outs. Torrey Schroeder is 6-4 with a 6.51 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched, while Sydney Williard is 4-4 on the year with a 5.29 ERA in 39.2 innings.

 

 

What: Hawai'i (25-11, 3-0 WAC) at New Mexico State (17-13, 0-3 WAC)

When: Saturday, April 3 at 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, April 4 (DH) at 2:00 p.m.

Where: NMSU Softball Complex (1,050)

Radio: Games will be broadcast locally on KSNM AM 570

Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com or nmstatesports.com

Ticket Information: Adults $5; Children 12-under are free

Coaches: Bob Coolen (UH: 692-423-1/Overall: 764-516-1) is in his 19th year at UH. Kathy Rodolph is in her sixth year at NMSU (143-179).

Series Information: Hawai`i and New Mexico State have played each other 46 times with UH winning 33 of the games. The 'Bows won the series 2-1 last year in Honolulu (Apr. 24-25).