Box Score

HONOLULU - The No. 15 University of Hawai`i softball team (14-4) shut down Eastern Kentucky, 5-0 in the fourth game of the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament tonight at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Junior Coutney Baughman (8-1) picked up her third shut-out and eighth complete-game win of the season.

Hawai`i senior Kate Robinson got the 'Bows off to a quick lead when she launched her seventh home run of the year over the left-centerfield fence in the bottom of the second. Then in the third, UH added another run on a two-out, RBI single up the middle by senior outfielder Kaulana Gould. The hit drove in sophomore catcher Katie Grimes, who had reached earlier in the inning on a single, from second.

The 'Bows then erupted for three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Senior leftfielder Brandi Peiler led the inning off with a single to leftfield. Junior shortstop Julie Franklin then hit an opposite field single to right to put runners at first and second. Next, senior second baseman Valana Manuma hit a ground ball to deep short. The only play possible was to get the force out at third, but pinch runner, Malamaisaua Manuma beat the throw to load the bases for Amanda Tauali`i who hit a ground ball to first. The first baseman picked up the ball and initially started to go back to the bag for the force at one, but then realized the bases were loaded and threw the ball home just after Malamaisaua Manuma crossed the plate for the inning's first run. Then Grimes came through with a clutch single to left to drive in both Franklin and Valana Manuma, pushing UH's lead to 5-0.

Hawai`i's Baughman scattered seven hits in seven innings, and had one walk with three strike outs. She was also the beneficiary of three double plays turned by the infield that helped to hold the Colonels off the scoreboard.

Eastern Kentucky threw three pitchers against the 'Bows. Jenn Bledsoe threw 2.1 innings; Jodi Pence fired 0.2 innings; and Kalyn Fox closed the game's final three innings. In all, EKU gave up five runs on 11 hits with a walk and two strike outs.

Hawai`i will now play Southern Illinois (10-8) in the final game on Day One of the tournament.

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