Series Notes

HONOLULU—The 25-ranked University of Hawai'i softball team (33-11, 11-0 WAC) returns home after playing an eight-game roadtrip, to face Louisiana Tech (20-12, 6-3 WAC) in a three-game Western Athletic Conference series this weekend. The two teams will square off in a single game this Friday, April 16th at 6:00 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, April 17th starting at 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, the 'Bows will be wearing special pink uniforms in support of Under Armour's “Power in Pink” campaign for breast cancer awareness.

Hawai'i is off to its best start ever in conference and is the only remaining undefeated team in the WAC, with an 11-0 record. The Rainbow Wahine swept both of their road series at Utah State (12-4 and 18-8) and at Boise State (15-1, 9-5, and 12-1) last week. Hawai`i broke the WAC single-season home run record last Wednesday at Utah State, surpassing the previous record of 84 set by UH's NCAA Super Regional team in 2007. This year's edition of the Rainbow Wahine now has 106 as it continues its assault on the NCAA record of 132 set by Arizona last season. The 'Bows hit a jaw-dropping total of 39 home runs in eight games on this past roadtrip. In their last series, UH hit 17 home runs in 17 innings at Boise State; they cranked out 9 in two games at Utah State; and 13 at New Mexico State. Hawai'i outscored their opponents 102-31 in their last eight games.

The 'Bows traded places in the national rankings. UH entered the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll ranked at No. 25 in for the first time this season. However, UH dropped out of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/USA Today Poll, where they were also No. 25 last week. The 'Bows remain at No. 22 in the Ultimate College Softball poll.

Head coach Bob Coolen, who is in his 19th season at UH, won his 700th game in the series finale at Boise State. He now has a record of 700-423-1 at UH. Overall in 24 seasons as a head coach, he has amassed a 772-516-1 record. At the beginning of the season, Coolen was ranked 30th all time the NCAA DI in wins. He continues to be the all-time winningest coach in UH softball history. The program's first head coach, Alika Thompson, is a distant second with a five year record of 94 wins and 130 losses. Coolen is the third longest tenured coach at the University of Hawai'i, with only women's volleyball head coach Dave Shoji (30 seasons) and sailing's skipper Andy Johnson (20 seasons) having logged more years at UH.

Freshman shortstop Jessica Iwata, was named the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I National Player of the Week. She is the first Rainbow Wahine to ever garner the prestigious honor. Iwata, a native of Lihu'e, Kaua'i and a graduate of Kaua'i High School, led the 'Bows in their five games this past week, went 12-for-20 on the week with nine runs, 17 RBIs, two doubles, six home runs, two grand slams and two walks. She finished the week with a 1.600 slugging percentage, a .636 on-base percentage and a .600 batting average. She hit safely in all five of her games this week, including recording multiple hits in four of those game and multiple RBIs in three. In the Rainbow Wahine's final game against Boise State on Saturday, Iwata tied UH's and the WAC's single-game home run record with three home runs while driving in a UH and WAC single-game record, eight RBIs.

Fellow freshman, centerfielder Kelly Majam, continues to impress in her rookie season as well. Not only did she break Hawai'i All-American Kate Robinson's single season home record of 21, she is now tied with Fresno State All-American Christina Clark for the WAC single-season home run record of 23 set in 2004. Majam continues to lead the nation in home runs and is just one of two players to hit over 20 thus far this season. Majam also leads UH with a .399 batting average, 52 runs scored, 57 hits, two triples, and 45 RBI.

Sophomore pitcher, Stephanie Ricketts enters the La Tech series with a 17-6 overall record and an 8-0 mark in conference. She has tossed 154.1 innings with a 2.36 ERA and has 19 complete games under her belt. In WAC play, Ricketts has thrown 49.2 innings with a 1.69 ERA while holding opponents to a .216 batting average.

Scouting the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (20-12, 6-3 WAC)

Head Coach Sarah Dawson brings a veteran-led Lady Techsters squad into Honolulu fresh off a 2-1 series win over New Mexico State. La Tech has won all three of its series thus far by a 2-1 margin over Utah State, San Jose State, and most recently NMSU. 

Offense...
The Lady Techsters roll into town with a .236 team batting average. They are led by senior Amberly Waits, who is hitting team-highs in average (.402), runs scored (29), and hits (37). Waits also leads the club with seven stolen bases and has 22 RBI on the year. Freshman Meghan Knowles has put together a solid freshman season, with a .339 average (21-for-62) in 26 games played. But, look out for veteran leaders Kylie Bassett and Jessica Kirby. Bassett has scored a team high 26 runs and leads the Lady Techsters with eight doubles and seven home runs, while Kirby has been clutch, driving in a team-high 30 RBI.

Pitching...
Louisiana Tech's ace is junior Meghan Krieg, who is the reigning WAC Pitcher of the Week. Krieg has confounded hitters this year, striking out 203 in 163.2 innings. Overall, she is 16-9 with a 2.01 ERA with 21 complete games and two shut outs. Krieg has held opponents to a scant .196 batting average. In conference action, Krieg is 6-1 with an even lower 1.40 ERA 45.0 innings pitched with 58 strike outs. Michelle Jones is 4-3 on the year and has a 5.45 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched with 14 K's.

What: Hawai'i (33-11, 11-0 WAC) vs. Louisiana Tech (20-12, 6-3 WAC)

When: Friday, Apr. 16 at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, Apr. 17 at 4:00 p.m. (Doubleheader)

Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200)

Television: All three games will be televised on KFVE The Home Team. Veteran broadcaster, Jim Leahey will handle the play-by-play with Lori Santi as the color commentator.

Streaming Video: Available at uhstreaming.oceanic.com

Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will carry all the games live with Chris Hart (play-by-play), Alan Miya (color commentator)

Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com

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

Ticket Information: All UH softball games are FREE; Parking is $5.00

Promotional Information: Ballpark Bingo continues with Jack in the Box as the series sponsor

*Special Note: The Rainbow Wahine will be wearing specially designed pink uniforms in support of UnderArmour's “Power in Pink” campaign to fight breast cancer.

Coaches: Bob Coolen is in his 19th season at the University of Hawai'i with a 700-423-1. Overall in 24 seasons as a head coach, he has amassed a 772-516-1 record. Sarah Dawson, LaTech's skipper, has a 192-216 career record and is in her eighth season.

Series Information: Hawai'i holds a 24-5 advantage over Louisiana Tech, but last season, the 'Bows won the first and third games of the series, 3-0 and 4-0 behind Stephanie Ricketts in Ruston, La. But the Lady Techsters won the middle game, 8-1. La Tech also bounced the 'Bows in the opening round of last year's WAC Tournament, 7-1.