RIVERSIDE, CALIF. - Hawai`i split a non-conference doubleheader today with UC Riverside, winning the first game 7-2 and dropping the second 4-3 at the UC Softball Field.
UH set the tone in the top of the first inning in game one as Hannah Butler singled to third base and advanced to second on Tracie Uchima's bunt single. Stacey Porter then drew a walk and UCR's Jenell Jackson (1-3) uncorked a wild pitch moving up the runners one base allowing Butler to score from third. After Kate Judd popped out to shortstop, Trisha Ramos drew a walk to re-load the bases. Denise Dahlberg then promptly doubled home both Uchima and Porter to make it 3-0. The final run in the first inning as Noelle Izumi sharply singled to center to score Ramos.
Hawai`i's Melissa Coogan (7-2) tossed the 7-inning gem scattering seven hits while striking out four and walking four for her fifth-straight victory.
Butler went 3-for-4 and Izuma was 4-for-4 (2 RBI) supplied most of the Rainbow Wahine offense in game one.
In game two, the Highlanders rebounded with a 4-3 win for the split.
UH's Shannon Tabion (2-5) lost her second-straight going 4.2 innings giving up all four runs and five hits, while striking out four and walking two. Coogan came on in the fifth and went the rest of the way allowing one hit and a walk.
UCR's Kimberly Dillon (2-4) picked up the win surrendering 10 hits and one walk without striking anyone out.
UH broke a 0-0 tie in the fourth inning as Porter led off with a double, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on Ramos' single to left.
The Highlanders (4-7) answered with two in the bottom of the fourth as Melissa Sanchez doubled, went to third on Suzanne Dallas's single, and Jessica Black tripled home both for the UCR lead.
Hawai`i tied it in the fifth as Uchima tripled to right center, Porter was walked, and Uchima scored on a throwing error by UCR catcher Jessica Gonzales trying to gun down Porter trying to steal.
UCR added two more runs in the fifth as Karli Burneleit doubled home Jamie Yee, and scored on a single by Melissa Sanchez.
Ramos capped the scoring as she launched a solo home run, her first of the season, in the sixth inning.
Hawai`i (9-7) returns to Honolulu Friday and takes on Hawai`i-Hilo in an exhibition game next Sunday, March 2, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
