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HONOLULU--The No. 14/16 University of Hawai`i softball team (13-4) scored six runs in the fifth inning to defeat South Dakota State, 6-0 on the opening day of the Bank of Hawaii Invitational. Stephanie Ricketts fired a three-hit shut-out to earn her eighth win of the season.

The 'Bows were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when they batted around and erupted for six runs. Jazmine Zamora and Kelly Majam led the inning off with back-to-back walks and Jessica Iwata was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Alex Aguirre then drew another walk to force Zamora across the plate. Melissa Gonzalez then hit a fielder's choice to short, scoring Majam from third. Sharla Kliebenstein followed with a sharp single through the leftside of the infield to drive in Iwata. Jenna Rodriguez then drew a walk to load the bases again for Sarah Robinson who drove in two runs with a opposite-field single though the right side of the infield. Stephanie Ricketts then got a single that scored Robinson who was running with two outs to give UH it's six run lead.

 

That would be more than enough offensive support for Ricketts who scattered three hits and did not allow a runner to reach third base. She issued just one walk and 11 strike outs in her 10th complete game of the season.

 

The Jackrabbit's starter, Kori Seidlitz threw the first 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on three hits with seven walks and a strike out. Reliever Pam Nicholson fired the final 1.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits with a walk.

                                                                                                            -UH-