Last time out...
Hawai'i captured its first conference series at Louisiana Tech this past weekend, 2-1 in Ruston, La. Freshman pitcher
Stephanie Ricketts earned WAC Pitcher of the Week after tossing a pair of shut-outs over the Lady Techsters. Ricketts fired her first career no-hitter, blanking La Tech, 3-0 in the conference opener. Then she closed the series by taking a no-hitter through 6-2/3rds innings before giving up a single. In the series, she did not give up an earned run in 17.0 innings and spaced three hits.
The Rainbow Wahine opened the La Tech series on Saturday with a doubleheader split. UH won the opener 3-0, lost the second game 8-1. The 'Bows bounced back on Sunday to win the series with a 4-0 victory.
The 'Bows concluded their second roadtrip of the year by defeating Grambling State, 4-0 in a single game, which was highlighted by a home run by senior shortstop
Julie Franklin and Ricketts' third shut-out of the roadtrip.
Rainbow Wahine Statistically
Senior rightfielder
Tanisha Milca continues to lead the team with a .357 batting average. She also leads the squad with 23 runs scored, 35 hits, six doubles and is second on the team with five home runs and 20 RBI. Junior first baseman
Amanda Tauali'i is second on the team with a .342 average and has team-highs in home runs (7), RBI (23), and slugging percentage (.697). She also has scored 13 runs, has four doubles and a triple to her credit this season.
Dara Pagaduan, has maintained her steady play at second base and is hitting .295 on the year with 10 runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI. Senior third baseman
Clare Warwick has put up solid numbers this season. She is hitting .264 with 17 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, two home runs and has driven home 15 runs.
On the mound, it is the freshman Ricketts who has emerged as the 'Bows number one starter. Overall, she now carries a 9-5 record and has a 1.82 ERA in 111.1 innings pitched. She has now held opponents to a .186 batting average with 26 walks to 100 strike outs and has tossed 12 complete games and seven shut-outs. Senior
Courtney Baughman looks to return to the rotation. She is 5-7 this season with a 3.38 ERA in 68.1 innings pitched. Freshman
Makani Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu is 0-1 in four appearances and has thrown 9.2 innings and fellow freshman
Sarah Robinson both may see increased roles on the mound.
SERIES INFORMATION
What: Hawai'i vs. Nevada (Three game WAC serires)
When: Friday, March 27 at 6:00 pm; Saturday, March 28 (Doubleheader) at 2:00 pm
Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200)
Ticket Information: Admission is FREE. Parking $3.
Promotions: Phiten is the series sponsor and fans are encouraged to wear their Phiten necklaces as the first 10 fans spotted wearing them will receive a free Phiten bracelet valued at $15. Fans can play Ballpark Bingo during the game and remember the “Cheap Eats” at the concession stand.
Television Coverage: KFVE-TV (Ch. 5) will televise both games of Saturday's doubleheader that starts at 2:00 pm.
Streaming Video: Live video streaming is available on uhstreaming.oceanic.com.
Radio Coverage: ESPN 1420 is broadcasting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at approximately 4:00 pm.
Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live stats of both matches are available on HawaiiAthletics.com
Scouting the Wolf Pack
Current Record: 22-9 Overall / 2-0 WAC
2008 Record: 44-18 Overall / 16-2 WAC (First) / 2-2 Los Angeles Regional
Head Coach: Matt Meuchel (22-9 / first season)
Series record: Nevada leads 15-14, with the Wolf Pack winning the last five games in a row. Last season, Nevada swept UH in Reno in three hard fought games. They then came back and knocked UH out of the WAC tournament in the semifinals in Honolulu, 2-1. Nevada has eliminated the 'Bows in the WAC tourney the last three seasons.
The defending WAC regular season championship comes to Honolulu with a 22-9 overall record and is 2-0 after their opening series against New Mexico State (their third and final game of the series was snowed out). The Wolf Pack's riding a 10-game win streak and just won their 24th-straight home game this past weekend. Nevada is ranked No. 25 in the Ultimate College Softball Poll, but is just outside the NFCA and ESPN.com's Top 25.
On offense...
Overall the Nevada's potent offense is hitting .336 as a team and has cranked out 32 home runs with 179 RBI. Seven Nevada players are currently hitting over .300 and six have started all31 games. The Wolf Pack is led by sophomore outfielder Britton Murdock's .417 batting average and .714 slugging percentage. She is tied for the team lead with seven home runs. Overall she has scored 24 runs, has driven in 26 runs with two doubles, and a triple. Second on the team is sophomore catcher Noelle Micka, who enters the series with a .396 batting average. Micka has team-highs in runs scored (30) and hits (40). Senior Brittany Puzey is hitting a solid .368 and has team-highs in doubles (9), triples (2), home runs (tied-7), and 30 RBI.
In the circle...
The Wolf Pack pitching staff has a combined 2.66 ERA with five shutouts on the season. Combined, Nevada has walked 69 to 230 strike outs. Junior Katie Holverson enters the series against Hawai'i with a 13-6 record and 2.07 ERA in 105.0 innings pitched. She has walked 39 batters and fanned 116 while holding opponents to a .210 batting average. Freshman Mallary Darby has also performed well this year, with a 9-3 record in 96.0 innings pitched. She has a 3.28 batting average with three shutouts and 14 complete games. She has walked just 29 while striking out 114 hitters.
-UH-
