Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Sophomore pitcher Justine Smethurst (14-6, 2-1 WAC) threw her seventh shut-out of the season and struck out a career-high 13 Santa Clara batters, en route to a 7-0 win at Marsalli Park. Smethurst scattered three hits and walked none. The 21st ranked Rainbow Wahine (36-8, 8-1 WAC) scored seven runs on 12 hits.

The Rainbow Wahine scored first, posting a run in the top of the second. The 'Bows started the inning off with three straight singles by Tyleen Tausaga, Kate Robinson, and Brandi Peiler to load the bases. Valana Manuma then drew a walk to force Tausaga home. The Broncos then cut down two runners at the plate off ground balls and a ground out to first to escape without further damage.

Clare Warwick led the third off with a sharp single. Then with one out, Tausaga drilled a double to centerfield to score a streaking Warwick from first to go up, 2-0.

The Rainbow Wahine added three more runs in the top of the fourth. Peiler started things off with a line shot right up the middle. Manuma followed with a single to left. Then, with one out, Katie Grimes hit a double off the base of the leftfield fence, driving in both Peiler and Manuma. Grimes scored when Tanisha Milca hit a ground ball to short, but a fielding error allowed Milca to reach safely and Grimes to score to push UH's lead to 5-0.

Hawai`i loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with three consecutive singles by Milca, Warwick and Gould. The Broncos got a force out at the plate for the first out, but then Peiler hit a two-run single up the middle to score Warwick and Gould. The Rainbow Wahine were up, 7-0 going into the bottom of the seventh.

The two teams will start the second game of the double header shortly.

-UH-