Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Freshman Malamaisaua Manuma made her second collegiate start a memorable one, helping UH defeat Utah, 5-4 in eight innings. Manuma hit two solo home runs, while fellow freshman Audrey Andrade also hit her first career home run as a pinch hitter. UH was down 4-1 in the sixth before rallying for three runs to tie the game, then scored a single run in the eight for the win.

Freshman Justine Smethurst picked up her third win throwing all eight innings, yielding four runs on seven hits, with three walks and three strike outs. Lindsie Nielsen took the loss in relief, throwing two innings giving up one run on one hit and three strike outs. Starter Meghan Dyer threw the first six innings, giving up four runs on five hits with a walk, eight strike outs, and three costly home runs.

Utah jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Lead off hitter Jackie Wong reached on an infield single to short and was moved to second on a chopper to third, in which Valana Manuma threw the batter out at first. She advanced to third on an illegal pitch, and then scored on a two out single to left by the clean-up hitter Jessica Shiery.

Hawai'i's Malamaisaua Manuma responded in the top of the second with her first career home run over the right centerfield fence.

With two outs in the bottom of the second, Smethurst walked the eighth and ninth batters to face lead off hitter Wong who cranked a shot over the fence for a three-run home run to go to a 4-1 lead.

It remained 4-1 until the sixth inning. Kaulana Gould led the inning off with an opposite field single to left. Three batters later, pinch hitter Audrey Andrade drove a deep shot over the left centerfield fence for her first career home run to cut the deficit to 4-3. The very next batter, Malamaisaua Manuma then whacked her second homer of the game over the left center fence to tie the game at 4-4.

In the bottom of the seventh, Utah's lead off batter in the inning, Meghan Crouse reached safely on a single off Smethurst. The next batter, Wong, laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Crouse to second. Then Diana Phillips hit a hard ground ball to Tausaga at first. Tausaga tagged Phillips running up the line then fired to third to cut down the runner trying to advance for a 3U5 double play that forced the game into extra innings.

The International tie breaker rules were in place, so Gould, who was the final out of the previous innings, was placed at second. Brandi Peiler grounded out to short, but more importantly moved Gould to third. Tyleen Tausaga then chopped a base hit over the first baseman into rightfield to score Gould easily from third. Utah's Nielsen then got the next two batters to strike out swinging.

The Utes' Phillips was placed at second, and was promptly moved to third on a sacrifice bunt executed by Ivette Hernandez. The next batter, Shiery hit a line drive caught by UH shortstop Julie Franklin who quickly threw to third to double off Phillips who did not get back to the bag quick enough.

The win improves the Rainbow Wahine to 6-3 on the season, and drops Utah to 3-4. Hawai`i will now face another Mountain West Conference foe New Mexico in the next game.

Leading Hitters:

Hawai`i: Gould 2-4 with two runs scored; M. Manuma 2-3 with two runs, two RBI and two home runs; Andrade home run.
Utah: Wong 2-3, two runs, three RBI, home run; Meghan Crouse 2-2, one run.

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