HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i softball team got off to a good start in their first game of the 4th Kipa Aloha Malihini Tournament tonight against Southern Illinois. UH knocked off the Salukis, 3-1.

UH, the designated visitors in first game, tacked on an early run in the top of the first inning. Noelle Izumi reached on a one-out infield single to third, moved to second when Tyleen Tausaga was walked, and raced home when SIU second baseman Samantha Carter tried to force Tausaga at second and flipped it errantly.

UH added another run in the fourth as Ashley Ruff reached on a two-out single to right and promptly stole second, and moved to third on a wild pitch on a ball four to Marie Jackson. UH then pulled a double steal adding an insurance run.

In the fifth, Izumi beat out an infield single to first and scored on April Crowell's double to center.

That was all UH starter Shannon Tabion (7-1) needed as she notched a season-high seven wins going the distance. The Wailuku, Maui, product scattered four hits, striking out five, and walking season-high six.

SIU's Carter broke up Tabion's no-hit bid hitting the first pitch in the fifth inning over the left field fence for her second career homer.

SIU threatened in the sixth loading the bases with one out, but Tabion worked her way out of the jam inducing SIU centerfielder Lauren Roney to hit into an inning ending 1-2-3 double play.

Hawai'i improves to 10-10 on the season the 1-0 in the tournament. Southern Illinois drops to 9-4 and 0-2 in the tourney.