Box Score

RUSTON, La.—The University of Hawai`i softball team (29-12, 7-3 WAC) shut out Louisiana State (11-30, 2-8 WAC), 6-0 in the series opener at the Lady Techster Softball Complex on Friday night. Starting pitcher Stephanie Ricketts fired a one-hit shut-out while rightfielder Jenna Rodriguez put the game away with a two-run home run in the seventh in front of a crowd of 300.

 

Ricketts (18-9, 5-2 WAC) fired her 24th complete game and eighth shut-out of the season. She allowed one hit through the leftside of the infield in the first inning then proceeded to retire the next 13 batters in a row before a fielding error snapped her streak to start the sixth inning. Ricketts then ended the game getting the next six batters out. She did not walk any Lady Techsters, struck out six and faced just 23 batters. In her career, Ricketts has now tossed 80 complete games with 22 shut outs.

 

The 'Bows jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Kelly Majam led the game off with a walk and Jasey Jensen was hit by the pitch to put runners at first and second with no outs. After a foul pop-up to first, Sharla Kliebenstein also drew a walk to load the bases. Sarah Robinson then hit a fielder's choice ground ball to the shortstop. On the play, the shortstop's throw was wild allowing both Majam and Jensen to score as the ball ricocheted off the brick backstop. Jenna Rodriguez then hit a slow roller to second to score Kliebenstein easily from third.

 

In the third inning, Hawai`i struck again, posting a single run to give the 'Bows a 4-0 lead. Jessica Iwata drilled a double down the rightfield line and later scored on an opposite-field RBI single by Rodriguez to right.

 

The 'Bows added two runs in the top of the seventh on a two-out, two-run home run into the teeth of the win to leftfield by Rodriguez. It marked her third homer of the season and 20th of her career.

 

Louisiana Tech starter, Meghan Krieg (7-18, 2-6 WAC) also tossed a complete game, giving up six runs (three earned) on eight hits with four walks and 10 strike outs.

 

Three Rainbow Wahine had multiple hits in the game, led by Rodriguez who went 2-for-4 with a home run and a season-high four RBI. Iwata also went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored and Alex Aguirre went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

 

The two teams conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm (CST). 

                                                                                                      -UH-