Box Score

HONOLULU - The Rainbow Wahine (22-14, 6-1 WAC) downed New Mexico State, 2-0 in the first game of today's double header at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Pitcher Justine Smethurst threw a complete-game shut-out, giving up only five hits with one walk and four strike outs.

NMSU pitcher Kim Watson held the Hawai`i bats at bay through the first three innings, not allowing a hit. But in the bottom of the fourth, Clare Warwick led the inning off with a double down the left field line. Three batters later, with two outs, Tanisha Milca hit an infield basehit between short and third. The shortstop backhanded it, but the throw, which wouldn't have gotten Milca who was sprinting down the line, sailed wide of the first baseman. The errant throw allowed Warwick to score from second to give Hawai`i its first lead of the game and the series.

In the bottom of the sixth, Warwick led off with a walk. Brandi Peiler then hit a single down the left field line, putting runners at first and second. Two batters later, Milca hit a ground ball to the second baseman who flipped to the shortstop to get pinch runner Malamaisaua Manuma out at second, but leaving runners at the corners with two outs. Milca then got in a run-down between first and second to score Warwick from third. On the play, Milca was safe at second. That extened the lead to 2-0 in favor of the Rainbow Wahine going into the final frame.

For the Aggies, Watson also threw the complete game, giving up two runs on three hits with four walks and five strike outs. NMSU actually out-hit UH, but was not able to cash in multiple scoring opportunites.

Warwick led UH, scoring the games only two runs and going 1-2 with a double and a walk.

The two teams will play in the series finale in approximately 20 minutes.

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