Box Score

San Jose, Calif. - The San Jose Spartans (16-16, 1-3 WAC) defeated the Hawai`i softball team, 2-1 in eight innings, snapping UH's win streak at nine. In the loss, sophomore pitcher Justine Smethurst (13-6, 2-1 WAC) threw a complete game with a career high 12 strike outs.

The Rainbow Wahine struck first, posting a single run in the top third. With two outs, Richie-Anne Titcomb reached safely on a bloop single to centerfield. Clare Warwick followed by drilling a double to the left-centerfield gap. Titcomb was running with two outs and scored all the way from first to go up 1-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, San Jose State's Kasey Igarta hit a double to the corner in leftfield. Brittany McConnell was next and she hit a single up the middle, putting runners at the corners with one out. UH pitcher Justine Smethurst then got clean-up hitter Sarah Smith to strike out striking. But, the next batter, Natasha Hawkins struck out swinging, but a wild pitch scored the run from third to knot the game up at 1-1 after four complete innings.

The score remained tied through seven. In the bottom of the eighth, Smethurst struck out the first two batters of the inning. Then, Liz Perez hit a little chopper between the pitcher and the catcher for an infield hit. The following batter, Igarta, hit a bloop single over the second baseman into right. Perez sprinted for third from first, and rightfielder Titcomb tried to cut her down at third. But her throw was wild and Perez crossed the plate for the winning run, 2-1.

Smethurst threw 7.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits with a walk and 12 strike outs.

For San Jose State, Roxanne Bejarano (11-8) got the win, also throwing the complete game, giving up one run on three hits with a walk and seven strike outs.

The two teams face off again later today for the second game of the double header.

-UH-