Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - Louisiana Tech took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the No. 12 University of Hawai`i softball team (46-9, 16-2 WAC) battled back to down the Lady Techsters, 5-2. Justine Smethurst picked up the complete-game win, giving up two runs on six hits in seven innings. The 'Bows will play the Fresno State tomorrow in the semi-finals at 2:00 pm at Bulldog Diamond in Fresno, Calif.

The Lady Techsters came out firing in the top of the first. Rochelle Sandberg hit a double to the right-centerfield gap with two outs. Ashley Cameron then launched a home run over the leftfield fence. Smethurst then got the last out with her first strike out of the game.

Hawai`i responded in the bottom half of the inning, getting one run back to cut the score to 2-1. Clare Warwick lined a double to the fence over the centerfielder. Kaulana Gould followed with a single to right, moving Warwick to third to put runners at the corners. Tyleen Tausaga hit a fly ball to left that allowed Gould to tag up and move to second. Then Kate Robinson hit a ground ball to third, but the third baseman mishandled it, and the ball squirted away from her. On the play, Warwick hustled home and Robinson reached safely on the error. Brandi Peiler then hit a sharp grounder back to the pitcher, Krissi Oliver, who got the out at first to end the inning.

Valana Manuma hit a single up the middle to start the bottom of the second inning off. Alana Power laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the pitcher chose to try to get the lead runner at second. Manuma slid in ahead of the throw to put both runners on safely at first and second. Kathryn Grimes then drilled a double the left-centerfield to drive in Manuma from second. Tanisha Milca followed with a single to left to drive in Power from third. Warwick then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Grimes for the third run of the inning. After an out, Tausaga then got a hit up the middle, driving in Milca to put Hawai`i up 5-2 after two innings.

Smethurst got her 17th win of the year, and is now 5-0 in her career against Louisiana Tech. It was her 18th complete game of the season. Smethurst walked one batter while striking out 10. The Lady Techsters though had at least one runner on in every inning but the second and fifth, but were unable to advance anyone past second base.

Lady Techsters' pitcher Oliver threw a complete game, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and no strike outs. After the first two innings, she settled down and retired the last 10 batters in a row.

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