HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i softball team (37-18, 10-7 WAC) erased a four run deficit to eliminate San Jose State with a 12-4 win on the second day of the double elimination, Western Athletic Conference Tournament at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Pitcher Jessica Morton (7-3) earned the win in relief, while SJSU's Deanna Mauer (13-17) took the loss.

In the first inning, the Spartans erupted for four runs to take the early lead. Sarah Taylor led the inning off with a single to third. UH starter Kate Robinson then struck out two Spartans before giving up four runs on four hits with two walks and two strike outs. Taylor moved to second on a stolen base and went to third on a single up the middle by Brittany McConnell. Kayla Hayes followed with a single to right that drove in Taylor. With Dannielle Brown up to bat, McConnell scored on a passed ball. Brown then hit a base hit through the leftside of the infield. A walk to Natasha Hawkins loaded the bases. Robinson then walked Kasey Igarta to force Hayes home. Morton then came in and walked her first batter to drive in Brown for SJSU's fourth and final run of the inning.

The 'Bows got one gack in the top of the second. Robinson led the inning off with a single. Then Clare Warwick drilled a sinking line drive to left. The ball short-hopped a sliding Elizabeth Perez in leftfield, but on the play, Robinson thought the ball was caught and hustled back to first. Perez threw to second for the force out. Valana Manuma then smacked a double to the left-centerfield gap to put runners at second and third. Richie-Anne Titcomb drew a walk to load the bases for Audrey Andrade. Andrade then got her first of three-RBI in the game on a single through the leftside of the infield that scored Warwick, cutting SJSU's lead to 4-1. The Spartans though ended the inning on a tough 5-to-2-to-3 double play.

In the fourth, UH rallied again to tie the game at 4-4. Robinson started the inning off with a walk. Warwick followed with a grounder back to the pitcher, but a fielding error left runners at first and second. Manuma then followed and hit another grounder back to the pitcher, but this time she got the lead out, Robinson, at third. With runners still on first and second, Titcomb then came through with a single to right-centerfield, driving in Warwick from second. Andrade then got another single over the second baseman into rightfield to score Manuma from third. After a strike out, Tanisha Milca then drove in the tying run with a single that ricoched off the leg of SJSU pitcher, Mauer.

In the fifth, Hawai`i took the lead, batting around the order and scoring six runs in the inning. Brandi Peiler led off the inning with a walk. Pinch-runner Kate Adams then entered the game and moved to second on a single to left by Robinson. Warwick followed with an RBI single to right that scored Adams from second to take the lead. Manuma lined out to center, but chased Mauer from the game. Reliever Jennifer Ames then entered the game and struck out the first batter she faced. Andrade followed by collecting her third RBI single of the day. On the play, a fielding error by the centerfielder allowed a second run to score and Andrade to scoot to second. Katie Grimes then laced a single down the leftfield line past the third baseman to drive in pinch runner Kanani Warren. A throwing error by the third baseman allowed Milca to reach first safely and moved Grimes to second. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position for Gould, who then drew a walk to load the bases for Peiler. Peiler then hit an opposite field single to right to score both Grimes and Milca. The inning ending on a low-liner hit to shallow centerfield by Robinson that was snared by a diving Kelli Fangonillo of SJSU.

Hawai`i padded their lead in the top of the seventh. Andrade led the inning off with a walk and moved to third on a double to the left-centerfield gap by Grimes to put both runners into scoring position. Andrade then scored on a wild pitch and pinch runner, Allison Der later scored on a ground ball hit to short by Gould.

Morton threw 6.1 innings, giving up no runs on five hits with two walks and four strike outs. After walking the first batter she faced in the first inning that forced a run home, Morton settled down, at one point retiring 10 batters in a row between the third and sixth innings.

For SJSU's Mauer, she threw 4.1 innngs, giving up seven runs on nine hits with three walks and four stirke outs. Ames closed teh game, throwing the final 2.2 innings, giving up five runs on four hits with two walks and one strike out.

The 12 runs was the most scored by the Rainbow Wahine this season. Andrade led the way, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI.

Hawai`i will now battle the No. 10 Bulldogs of Fresno State who won a 10-inning game against New Mexico State, 7-6 in the final game of day two of the tourney. The winner will stay alive, but the loser will end it's run in the tournament.

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