Box Score

HONOLULU - Pitcher Jessica Morton picked up her fifth win of the season, as the No. 25 Rainbow Wahine came back to defeat St. Mary's, 2-1 in eight innings. After trailing 1-0 going into the seventh, UH scored one run in the top of the seventh to tie, and then scored another in the eighth for the win. The win dropped SMC to 1-3 in the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament, and UH is 2-1 going into tonight's final game against No.21 Georgia.

It was a scoreless game through five-and-a-half innings. Then St. Mary's posted a run in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead. Lauren Mello led the inning off by reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt executed by Sadie Dolcini. An out later, Chelsea Loftis ripped a double to centerfield, scoring Mello from second.

But the Rainbow Wahine responded in the next half inning. Kaulana Gould started the rally by leading the seventh off with a single up the middle. Tyleen Tausaga followed with another single up the middle to put runners at first and second. Kate Robinson then hit a fly ball to rightfield, allowing Gould to tag and hustle to third. Richie-Anne Titcomb, who pinch ran for Tausaga at first, then stole second, placing both runners into scoring position. But Brandi Peiler then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Gould from third to knot the game at 1-1.

In extra innings, the international tie-break rules were in place, which put Valana Manuma at second base to start the inning. Morton, the relief pitcher, made her first collegiate plate appearance. She executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that pushed Manuma to third. The next batter, Alana Power then struck out swinging, but with first base unoccupied, she sprinted down the line. The SMC catcher tried to throw her out at first, but her throw hit Power instead, making the ball ricochet to the side, allowing Manuma to score what proved to be the winning run.

For the Gaels, Marlena Green (1-1) took the loss. She threw 7.1 innings and held UH at bay through the first six innings. She allowed two runs with two strike outs and faced only 25 batters. Kate Albaugh closed the game, getting the final two outs.

Hawai`i's Justine Smethurst got the start and threw 6.2 innings. She scattered four hits and gave up one run on two walks and eight strike outs. Morton, whose five wins are all in relief, closed the game, retiring all four batters she faced.

The Rainbow Wahine will now face No.21 Georgia in the final game of the day.

-UH-