HONOLULU -- Led by seniors Melissa Coogan, Denise Dahlberg, Noelle Izumi, and Tracie Uchima, the UH softball team capped off senior night with an 11-1 victory in five innings over San Jose State, Saturday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The win marked Hawai`i's 11th in 12 games and fourth straight WAC series win, as UH wrapped up its regular season at 31-21 overall, and second in the WAC at 12-6.

Hawai`i's seniors struck quickly, as Uchima, Dahlberg, and Izumi collected base hits in the bottom of the first, giving the Rainbow Wahine an early 2-0 lead. Uchima and Dahlberg did it again in the bottom of the second, as Hawai`i lit up San Jose State pitcher Carol Forbes for four hits and three runs, increasing its lead to 5-0.

Coogan cruised through the first three innings, allowing only two hits before giving up a run in the top of the fourth. However, Hawai`i stormed back, as Tyleen Tausaga led off the bottom of the inning with a homer to left center, putting the Rainbow Wahine back up by five runs. It was the start of a huge fourth inning for Hawai`i, who batted around en route to plating six runs on five hits to take a commanding 11-1 lead. Coogan did the rest, retiring the Spartans in order in the top of the fifth to secure the victory.

For the game, Dahlberg, Izumi, and Uchima were a combined 7-for-9, with three runs batted in and six runs scored. Hawai`i also received stellar efforts from Tara Harbert, who went 3-for-3, and Ashley Ruff and Kristi Yoshizawa, who both went 2-for-3. Overall, the Rainbow Wahine pounded out a total of 15 hits and matched their largest run scoring performance of the season. With the win, Coogan's sixth in a row, she tied Kelly Gentle's Rainbow Wahine record for career complete games, with 85.

Hawai`i's five seniors, Coogan, Dahlberg, Izumi, Uchima, and Shannon Tabion (who pitched the first game of the day), were all honored after the game with the annual senior night festivities.

Though Hawai`i's regular season schedule is now complete, the Rainbow Wahine remain in contention for post-season play by receiving an at-large berth in the NCAA Regionals. The NCAA Softball Tournament selections will be announced on May 15th.

Game statistics

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