PORTLAND, ORE. - The University of Hawai`i softball team salvaged a split in the first of two Western Athletic Conference doubleheaders today at Portland State. PSU won the first game in the bottom of the seventh inning, 3-2, while UH took the second game, 2-1.

In the second game, UH starting pitcher Melissa Coogan (10-7) gave up a season-high 11 hits but held the Vikings in check allowing only the one run. Shannon Tabion, who started the first game, came on in relief with two on and nobody out in the sixth to notch her first save of the season.

UH got on the board first scoring single runs in the first and third innings off Megan Herscher (3-11) as Trisha Ramos delivered an RBI single in the first and lifted a sacrifice fly to right in the third.

PSU got its lone run in the fourth as Annie Peccia singled to left with one out. She then advanced to third on Vanessa Applegate's double down the left field line and scored on the infield single to second by Megumi Hackett.

Coogan got in trouble again in the fifth but worked her way out of a bases-loaded jam. She she showed signs of struggling in the sixth, that's when Tabion entered the game, retiring the next six batters she faced.

In the first game, PSU's Morgan Seibert (12-13) limited the UH offense to just four hits; however, UH took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

UH's two runs came in the third inning as Natalie Gonzales tripled home Marie Jackson who got aboard on a single to left. Then Kate Judd drove home Gonzales on a single to left.

Portland State came back to tie the score in the sixth off UH starter Tabion.
The Vikings' Nichole Ivie reached second on a two-base error by UH centerfielder Jackson. Rachel Manibusan came on to pinch-run. Applegate singled home Manibusan and went to second on an error by rightfielder Denise Dahlberg. Hackett then singled to center to knock home Applegate to tie the game at two apiece. Sheri Oronoz, who came out of the bullpen for just the second time all season, got Kayla Lewis on swings and Whitney Olsen on a ground out.

In the seventh, PSU's Laura Freels got on first on a bunt single to third after one out. Oronoz then got Ivie to hit into a fielder's choice as Freels was out at second on the force. Peccia then drew a walk and Kari Mills came in to pinch-run for Ivie at second. Applegate then singled down the left field line to drive home Mills from second with the game-winner.

Hawai`i takes on Portland State again Sunday in another WAC doubleheader before going to Eugene, Ore., for a twinbill with Oregon Tuesday.