Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The No. 15 University of Hawai`i softball team held off UC Riverside, 2-0 in the first of two games at Amy S. Harrison Field. Courtney Baughman picked up her second shut-out of the season with a complete game effort. Senior outfielder Brandi Peiler cranked a solo home run in the top of the sixth to help lift the Rainbow Wahine over the Highlanders.

Hawai`i and UC Riverside were locked in a scoreless game through the first 4.2 innings. Tanisha Milca drove a low line drive to leftfield. The UCR leftfielder dove for the ball, but it skipped past her and rolled to the fence for a triple. Then, Clare Warwick hit a ground ball to third, but a throwing error to first allowed Warwick to hustle to second and Milca to score easily from third to go up 1-0.

In the sixth inning, Peiler hit her first homer of the season that padded Hawai`i's lead to 2-0. It was the 19th home run of her career.

The Highlanders' had their best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the second with a two out rally. Taylor Thomas started things going with a single to right. Krystal Marquez followed with a looping single to left. Then, with runners at first and second and still two outs, Kameryn Hebenton hit a single to center. Centerfielder Kaulana Gould fielded it cleanly and fired home to cut down Thomas by a stride to a waiting Katie Grimes who applied the tag.

Baughman (6-0) scattered seven hits with a walk and six strike outs in the complete game shut-out.

UCR actually out hit the Rainbow Wahine, 7-to-5, but were unable to push any runs across the plate.

Hawai`i will play one more game to finish the double header against UC Riverside shortly.