Box Score

HONOLULU - The No. 23 Rainbow Wahine softball team (29-7, 2-0 WAC) came from four runs down to defeat Nevada, 5-4. Freshman catcher Katie Grimes hit a single to left to drive in Valana Manuma for the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Jessica Morton (7-1) picked up the win in relief, holding the Wolf Pack scoreless for the last five innings.

The Wolf Pack jumped on the scoreboard first, posting two runs to start the game. The lead off batter, Tyler Schafer walked, then Sam Bias tried to bunt her over, but Kate Robinson was able to cut down the lead runner at two. Brittany Puzey then came to the plate and hit a single up the middle to put runners at first and second. A wild pitch moved both into scoring position. Kelsey star then hit a line drive past the first baseman into rightfield for an RBI single to score Bias from third. Kym Silagy then hit a slow roller to short, with the only option being to get the runner at second, Puzey scored from third to put Nevada up, 2-0 after a half inning of play.

In the bottom of the second, the Rainbow Wahine were able to load the bases on no outs on a single by Tyleen Tausaga and two walks. But Wolf Pack pitcher Jordan McPherson then settled down to get two fielder's choice ground outs at the plate and a swinging strike out to escape unscathed.

In the top of the third, Nevada extended their lead by two runs when Puzey cranked a two run home run over the leftfield fence. It drove in Bias who led the inning off with a single up the middle. Jessica Morton then entered the game in relief and except for a single, got the last three outs.

In the bottom of the third, Hawai`i got two runs back when they capitalized on a throwing error by the catcher. Richie-Anne Titcomb led the inning off with a single down the rightfield line. Clare Warwick then hit into a fielder's choice to short to force Titcomb at second. Kaulana Gould then walked to place runners at first and second. After a fly out to left by Tausaga, Robinson came to the plate and hit a single to left to move the runners up a base, but on the play, the throw came home. The Nevada catcher tried to pick off Gould who made a wide turn at second, but her throw sailed into right-centerfield and the speedy Warwick and Gould both sprinted home to score UH's first two runs of the game.

In the following inning, Hawai`i knotted the score at 4-4. The Rainbow Wahine loaded the bases again then, but this time, with two outs, Gould stepped to the plate and drilled a double to the right-centerfield, driving in Julie Franklin, who was pinch running for Grimes, and Titcomb.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. Manuma led the inning off by hitting a ground ball that took a big hop over the shortstop and rolled into left-center for a double. Alana Power then drew a walk to put two runners aboard. Grimes then stepped to the plate and hit a line drive single to left, to score Manuma from second for the winning run.

Morton picked up the win for the Rainbow Wahine in relief. She goes to 7-1 on the season with the win. All her decisions coming in relief appearances. Morton threw the final 5.0 innings, holding the Wolf Pack scoreless for the rest of the game. She spaced three hits while walking one and striking out seven. Smethurst got the start, throwing the first 2.0 innings, giving up four runs on four hits with a walk and a strike out.

Nevada's McPherson threw the complete game, giving up five runs on nine hits with seven walks, two hit batsmen, and three strike outs.

The two teams will play the final game of the series in about 20 minutes.

-UH-