Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev.—The No. 9/12 University of Hawai`i softball team (7-1) suffered its first loss of the season to No. 14/14 Oregon, 13-5 in five innings on the second day of the Louisville-Slugger Desert Classic on a frigid morning in Las Vegas, Nev.

 

The 'Bows jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first, aided by three walks and an error. Kelly Majam led off with a walk and moved to second on a fielding error by the shortstop on a grounder hit by Jessica Iwata. Alex Aguirre then drew another walk to load the bases. Majam scored on a passed ball, and later after a strike out, Sharla Kliebenstein walked to load the bases again for Jenna Rodriguez, who hit an opposite-field single through the right-side of the infield to score Iwata. Dara Pagaduan then hit a high chopper to short, allowing Kliebenstein to sprint home for the 3-0 lead.

 

UH was able to load the bases in the top of the second, on a walk to Jasey Jensen, a single to left by Iwata, and a fielding error on a ball hit by Melissa Gonzalez with two strike outs in between. But the 'Bows were unable to push any runs across.

 

The Ducks battled back to overtake Hawai`i in the bottom of the second, 5-3. Kailee Cuico walked to start the rally and Kaylan Howard hit a high-hopper over the first baseman for a single into right. Kelsey Chambers then followed with a single past a diving Iwata at short to load the bases. Monique Fuiava then hit a single back up the middle to drive in Oregon's first run and Nieto then came through with a grand slam over the rightfield fence to give the Ducks a two run cushion.

 

Oregon posted five more runs in the third on a pair of home runs. Chambers hit a two run home run and Courtney Ceo added a three-run homer to push the Ducks' lead to 10-3. Fuiava tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the fourth on an opposite-field home run.

 

In the top of the fourth, the 'Bows mounted a rally to load the bases for the third time in the game. But with one out, Melissa Gonzalez hit a solid line drive, but the second baseman snagged it on a lunging catch and doubled up the runner at first to thwart the scoring opportunity.

 

Hawai`i tried to battle back in the top of the fifth. Kliebenstein led the inning off with a first pitch single through the leftside of the infield. Rodriguez then drilled a double into the leftfield corner down the leftfield line, driving in Kliebenstein from first. Kaile Nakao was then hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Sarah Robinson followed with an RBI single to the left-centerfield gap to score pinch runner Brynne Buchanan from second. But Oregon then changed pitchers, bringing in Brittany Rumfelt who struck out the final two batters of the game.

 

Stephanie Ricketts suffered her first loss of the season (3-1), throwing the first 2.2 innings. She gave up 10 runs on 10 hits with a walk and four strike outs. Rodriguez threw the final 1.1 innings, giving up three runs on four hits with no walks and a strike out.

 

Oregon reliever, Mikayla Endicott earned her first win of the season, throwing 3.1 innings, giving up two runs on five hits with a walk and four strike outs. Starter Jessica Moore lasted one inning, giving up three runs on a hit with four walks and two strike outs.

 

Hawai`i has one more game today against No. 19/18 Stanford at around 2:00 pm.

 

                                                                                                                -UH-