Box Score

HONOLULU - The No. 21/16 University of Hawai`i softball team (29-11, 5-1 WAC) defeated San Jose State, 1-0 tonight in a Western Athletic Conference game at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Senior Kate Robinson earned the win by firing a six-hit shut out while SJSU's Deanna Mauer (11-8) took the loss.

Robinson (13-3, 4-0 WAC) had no walks and struck out six in seven innings pitched. The win was her 11th complete game and sixth shut out of the season.

Hawai`i scored in the bottom of the first inning and held on to the lead for the rest of the game. Senior centerfielder Kaulana Gould started the rally off with a one-out double to the left-centerfield gap. A single to right by third baseman Clare Warwick put runners at the corners. Then Robinson followed by hitting a high sacrifice fly to centerfield allowing Gould to sprint home for the run.

The Spartans had their best opportunity to score in the top of the sixth. Lefty leadoff hitter Elizabeth Perez started the inning off with a high-chopping single that Warwick made a nice play and fired to first, but the speedy Perez beat out the throw. Next, Sarah Taylor hit a single to left to put runners at first and second with no outs. Kelli Fangonilo followed with a hard hit ball to left that Brandi Peiler caught. The runner at second though, didn't tag, so runners remained at first and second. The next batter, cleanup hitter, Brittany McConnell ripped a line drive that Warwick snagged for the inning's second out. Then Robinson got Kayla Hayes to hit a slow ground ball to second to end the inning and the rally.

San Jose State's Mauer kept the Rainbow Wahine off balance after the first inning, holding the 'Bows to just four hits in the game. She had four walks and two strike outs.

The two teams square off again tomorrow in the series finale with a doubleheader starting at 2:00 pm.