Box Score

HONOLULU - The 16th ranked University of Hawai`i softball team (21-6) pulled away from Texas Tech, 4-1 on the third day of the Chevron Spring Fling Tournament. Senior pitcher Jessica Morton earned the victory with a complete-game effort, while Kate Robinson launched a first inning, two run homer and Clare Warwick added a clutch two-run single in the top of the sixth secure the win at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Morton (3-0) gave up only one run on four hits with no walks and three strike outs. She faced only 24 batters in the game, which is three over the minimum.

Hawai`i got off to a quick start, posting two runs in the top of the first on Robinson's home run. It was rocketed over the high netting behind the leftfield fence and landed on top of the far batting cages. The home run drove in Kaulana Gould who had reached safely on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.

Texas Tech cut UH's lead in half in the bottom of the fifth, when Megan Shupp led off with a solo home run over the leftfield fence.

But the 'Bows answered right back in the the top of the sixth with a rally of their own. Tanisha Milca led the inning off with a walk and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Melissa Gonzalez. Gould and Robinson followed with two more walks to load the bases. Brandi Peiler then hit a ground ball to second and TTU's second baseman threw home to gun down Milca on the force out at the plate for the innings second out. Then Warwick stepped to the plate and drilled a single to left to drive in both Robinson and Gould from second and third respectively to push UH's lead to 4-1.

Texas Tech's Alex Watkins took the loss after throwing 3.1 innings. She gave up two runs on three hits with a walk and a strike out. Tye Coats closed the game, throwing the final 3.2 innings, giving up two runs on two hits with five walks and four strike outs.

The 'Bows will now play North Carolina (22-6) in the day's final game to determine who is the first seed in tomorrow's bracket play section of the tournament