Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 12 University of Hawai`i softball team (46-11, 16-2 WAC) was knocked out of the WAC Tournament by Nevada (28-30, 9-9 WAC) with a two-run, walk off home run in the bottom of the eighth by Brittany Puzey. The Rainbow Wahine lost earlier in the day to Fresno State, 9-3. It was the first time Hawai`i has lost two consecutive games this season.

Justine Smethurst (16-8) took the loss, giving up three runs on four hits with three walks and four strike outs.

Nevada's pitcher Jordan McPherson (17-15) earned the complete game win, keeping UH's offense at bay. She gave up the one run on six hits with a walk and six strike outs.

The Wolf Pack scored first, posting a single run in the bottom of the fourth. Kym Silagyi led the inning off with a single. Then Kelsy Starr was hit by a pitch. Amanda Wise came in to pinch run for Starr who was injured on the bean. Katie Stith then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but third baseman Clare Warwick couldn't come up with the ball and the bases were loaded on the error. Michele Beach then hit a ground back to Smethurst who got the out at home, but the throw to try to double up the batter at first was wild by catcher Stacey Yamada, and went into rightfield. That allowed Wise to score all the way from second for the game's first run.

The Rainbow Wahine tied the score at 1-1 in the next half inning. With one out in the inning, Valana Manuma was hit by a pitch. Alana Power then got a single to right-centerfield. Katie Grimes then pinch hit for Yamada and hit a ground ball back to McPherson on the mound. Manuma had strayed from third and drew the throw from the mound, but Manuma slid in safely and UH was left with the bases loaded. Tanisha Milca then hit a grounder to second. Nevada tried to get the lead out at the plate, but Manuma beat the throw for the run scored. McPherson though, got out of the full base jam with two ground balls for a fielder's choice at the plate and a ground out to second.

In the top of the seventh, UH threatened to score with two runners on. After a ground out, Grimes hit a single to leftfield. Milca then hit a sharp single up the middle. But then, Warwick hit a grounder to third. The Nevada third baseman tagged her bag to get the lead runner and then fired to first to get the double play to end the inning.

The Rainbow Wahine mounted a serious charge again in the top of the eighth. With one out, Tyleen Tausaga hit an opposite field single. After a pop-out to short, Brandi Peiler pinch hit and drew a walk. Manuma then got a single to left to load the bases. Power then hit a looper over the third baseman but the shortstop made a running grab for the third out to squelch the rally.

For Hawai`i, after Nevada scored the run in the fourth inning, Smethurst settled down to retire the next 10 batters in a row. But in the bottom of the eighth, Kristin Stith led off by drawing a walk. Then Puzey stepped to the plate and launched a home run over the leftfield fence to end the game.

-UH-