Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The No. 15 University of Hawai`i softball team (11-2) defeated Western Kentucky, 6-2, in the opening game of the Eller Media Stadium Classic hosted by UNLV. Junior pitcher Courtney Baughman (7-0) earned the win with a complete game effort. The UH offense was highlighted by a three-run home run by senior Kate Robinson that hit off the top of the scoreboard in leftfield.

The Rainbow Wahine got off to a strong start and never relinquished the lead. After a fly out to start the game, Clare Warwick hustled down the line to beat out a throw by the shortstop for the game's first base hit. Kaulana Gould then hit a double past the centerfielder to move the runners to second and third. Robinson then launched a home run high over the leftfield fence. The ball hit off the top of the UNLV scoreboard for a three-run blast.

In the second inning, with one out, Kathryn Grimes started things off with a double to the right-centerfield gap. Grimes then moved to third on a slow roller to first hit by Richie-Anne Titcomb. Then, Tanisha Milca hit a hard grounder to the hole at short for an RBI single that scored Grimes from third to increase UH's lead to 4-0 after two complete innings.

The Hilltoppers (7-4) chipped away at the lead, scoring a single run in the top of the third when Rebecca Horesky drove in Elizabeth Ferrell from second with an RBI single to left.

Hawai`i responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring a pair of runs on a two-run double to left-center by Warwick. On the play, both Titcomb and Milca scored from second and first respectively.

WKU added another run in the top of the sixth with a solo home run off the bottom of the scoreboard in left by Horesky to cut UH's lead to 6-2.

But that would be as close as the Hilltoppers would get. Baughman gave up two runs on four hits with a walk and a strike out.

The Rainbow Wahine will play the second game of their doubleheader at 11:15 am.