Box Score

HONOLULU—The No. 14/17 University of Hawai`i softball team (21-5) scored a run in the bottom of the seventh on a throwing error to defeat Longwood, 3-2. Kaia Parnaby (8-1) earned the win in relief on Monday night at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

 

The Rainbow Wahine posted two runs in the bottom of the third to take the early lead. Tara Anguiano drew a walk and then pinch runner Brynne Buchanan moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dara Pagaduan. Jessica Iwata was then intentionally walked to put runners on at first and second. Alex Aguirre then came through with a base hit up the middle. On the play the centerfielder misplayed the ball and it rolled all the way to the fence to allowing Buchanan to score on the hit and Iwata to score on the error.

 

The Lancers came back to tie the score at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning. Brittany Matthews led off with a walk and scooted all the way to third on a throwing error on the third baseman off a sacrifice bunt by Kami Nuckols, leaving runners at the corners. Hawai`i starter Stephanie Ricketts was then was relieved by Kaia Parnaby. But Parnaby couldn't hold Longwood at first. Nichole Simmons hit a soft single to centerfield to score Matthews from third and then Maggie Margadonna walked to load the bases. With the infield drawn in, Brooke Short hit a hard ground ball up the middle, but shortstop Iwata made a diving stop and threw a one-hopper from her knees to first baseman Sarah Robinson to get the first out of the inning. A run scored on the play, but Parnaby then got a line-out to right and a swinging strike out to end the inning.

 

Parnaby (8-1) then settled down and retired the last six batters in a row with four strike outs and two fly outs.

 

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Robinson drilled an opposite-field triple over the rightfielder. After a strike out, Pagaduan hit a ground ball to second, but the throw was wild, skipping past the first baseman for an error allowing the winning run scored.

 

UH's Stephanie Ricketts started the game, throwing the first four-plus innings. She gave up two runs on two hits with two walks and five strike outs.

 

Longwood starter Briana Wells threw 6.2 innings, giving up three runs on just two hits with three walks and six strike outs, facing just 27 batters.

 

The 'Bows will have one day off before beginning the Chevron Spring Fling Tournament, March 16-19 with No. 11 California, BYU, Cleveland State, and Iona coming to town.