Box Score

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.—The No. 10/11 University of Hawai`i softball team (12-4) couldn't hold off Virginia (9-4) as the Cavaliers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat UH, 6-4. After defeating No. 6/6 Oklahoma on the opening night, the 'Bows finished the Cathedral City Classic with a 1-3 record.

 

The 'Bows got off to a fast start scoring two runs in the top of the first. Jessica Iwata started things with a single up the middle with one out and stole second to move into scoring position. After the second strike out of the inning, Melissa Gonzalez drilled another single up the middle to drive in Iwata from second. Sharla Kliebenstein followed with a walk and Jenna Rodriguez then drove in Gonzalez from second with an RBI single to center, but on the play, Kliebenstein was picked off at second after getting caught between second and third on the throw home.

 

Virginia responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. The Cavaliers started their half of the inning reaching on two fielding errors on the shortstop and third baseman. The third batter then laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Stephanie Harris then hit a grounder to short, Iwata threw home on a fielder's choice but the throw was late, allowing the run to score and all runners to be safe. Erica Cipolloni then hit a sharp single back up the middle to score Williams and the runner at second came around and scored after the catcher missed the relay throw giving Virginia a 3-2 lead after one complete inning.

 

Hawaii leap-frogged the Cavaliers to re-take the lead on a Gonzalez two-run blast that sailed high over the centerfield fence. The drive brought home Iwata who had walked earlier in the inning.

 

But, the Virginia bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning as they put up three runs on the scoreboard. Alison Pittman led the inning off with an infield single to the pitcher. Pittman came all the way home on a triple to rightfield that rolled to the fence by Giannina Cipolloni. Taylor Williams then reached on another infield single. Williams then stole second, but on the throw to two, the ball ricocheted off the second baseman's glove and rolled into the outfield allowing G. Cipolloni to score from third. After a ground out to the pitcher, Harris then hit a ground out to second that drove in Williams from third to give the Cavaliers a 6-4 lead with three outs to go.

 

Stephanie Ricketts suffered her second straight loss, dropping her record to 7-3 on the season. She threw six innings, giving up six runs—just two were earned—with three walks and five strike outs.

 

Virginia pitcher, Melanie Mitchell raised her record to 6-3 with a complete game effort. She allowed four runs on five hits with two walks and nine strike outs.

 

The Rainbow Wahine return home to host three straight tournaments, beginning with the Bank of Hawai`i Invitational, March 4-6 with South Dakota State, Weber State, and St. Bonaventure.

 

                                                                                                                 -UH-