Tucson, Ariz- The Rainbow Wahine (6-4) started play today in the 2005 Worth Wildcat Invitational against the Panthers of Northern Iowa (3-3), winning 3-1. Hawai'i had just completed the game when thundershowers and a sprinkling of hail cancelled the next two games of the day.

Hawai'i jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Tracie Uchima led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Infield singles by Noelle Izumi and Tyleen Tausaga loaded the bases for Kate Robinson who hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in Uchima.

In the bottom of the second, Ashley Ruff added to the lead with a solo home run that ended up in the leftfield bleachers.

In the top of the third, the Panthers started to rally back. Amanda Hess led of the inning with a solo shot to right-centerfield. Mandy Kumamoto and Jamie Kelling then had back-to-back singles, leaving the Rainbow Wahine with two runners on, no outs, and the meat of the order coming up. But pitcher Melissa Coogan got the next three consecutive outs on a popped-up bunt to catcher Denise Dahlberg, a fly ball to centerfielder Tara Harbert, and Coogan fielded a grounder hit by NIU's clean-up hitter to snuff out the rally.

Hawai'i finished their scoring in the bottom of the fifth. Centerfielder Harbert drew a walk to lead off the inning. Uchima then executed a sacrifice bunt that moved Harbert to second. Izumi then hit a fly ball to centerfield, allowing Harbert to advance to third. Dahlberg then hit a line-drive single to rightfield, scoring Harbert.

Coogan (3-1) picked up her third complete game victory, giving up one earned run while striking out three, walking none, and one hit-by-pitch.

Hawai'i was supposed to play Marshall in the second game of the day, but due to the inclement weather, the game was cancelled. Games will proceed tomorrow. On Sun., Feb. 20, the Rainbow Wahine will face their toughest opponent of the season so far, No.2 Arizona in a doubleheader.

Game statistics

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