HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i softball team defeated Brigham Young tonight, 7-3, on Opening Day of the 2004 campaign in the first game of the 8th Hawai`i Paradise Classic at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

UH got on the board early and often off Cougar starting pitcher Ariel Capra (0-1). The Rainbow Wahine erupted for four runs in the first as Tracie Uchima singled to center, moved to second when Noelle Izumi was hit by a pitch, and then April Crowell singled to left loaded bases. With one out, Denise Dahlberg drove a ball down the right field line to knock in three runs. Dahlberg then came home when BYU third baseman Ianeta Lei mishandled an Ashley Ruff grounder.

In the second inning, Justina Kahaku led off with a single to left and scored on Uchima's triple to the right center gap. BYU's Capra then struckout Izumi on a ball in the dirt but catcher Lauren Watson didn't attempt a throw to first allowing runners at the corners. UH then pulled a double steal as Uchima came home to make it 6-0 after two innings.

UH's Melissa Coogan (1-0) faced one batter over the minimum and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning when BYU's Le`i led off with a clean single up the middle.

BYU tacked on a single run in the bottom of the sixth as Debbie Dodds got aboard on a bunt single then was forced at second on a grounder by Krystle Chamberlain. Jennifer Whiteley then reached first on a blooper over a drawn in third baseman. Lauren Watson drove home Chamberlain on a single past the bag at third.

BYU added two more runs in the seventh as Kate Walker singled to center and came home on a two-run homer by Dodds down the left field line to cap the scoring.

This was the only game slated for the first day of the tournament. Three games are scheduled for Thursday with all six teams playing one game apiece. The first game gets underway at 2 p.m. between Tennessee and St. Mary's (CA). The 4 p.m. game pits Brigham Young against Oregon State with UH hosting UAB in the nightcap at 6 p.m.