Series Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (30-16, 8-7 WAC) plays its final home series of the year when it battles the Western Athletic Conference leader, New Mexico State (36-12, 14-1 WAC) on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. Seniors Jasey Jensen, Jenna Rodriguez, and Melissa Gonzalez will be honored at the conclusion of Saturday's doubleheader as part of Senior Night festivities.

 

The Rainbow Wahine are looking to rebound after being swept by third place Boise State this past week. Sophomore shortstop Jessica Iwata continues to lead the team with a .317 batting average (44-for139). She holds team-highs with 35 runs scored, 44 hits, 11 home runs, and a .597 slugging percentage. Senior utility player Jenna Rodriguez is the only other Hawai'i player hitting over .300 for the season. Rodriguez is 42-for-139 for a .302 average. She has also struck out a team-low nine times. Sophomore centerfielder Kelly Majam remains third on the team with a .285 average (37-for-130) while leading UH with eight doubles, 31 walks and a .435 on-base percentage. Majam is second on the squad with 30 runs scored.

 

The pitching staff is still amongst the nation's best with a 1.56 team ERA, but will be tested this weekend against the nation's fifth best offense in NMSU. Junior Stephanie Ricketts has seen the bulk of the action in the circle, throwing 197.0 innings through 46 total games. She has a 1.63 ERA with an 18-11 overall record and 5-4 conference mark. She has eight shut-outs on the year and has tossed 26 complete games in 32 starts. Ricketts has held opponents to a .185 average while walking 51 and striking out a career-high 218 batters. Sophomore southpaw Kaia Parnaby is 11-5 overall and 3-3 in the WAC. Overall, Parnaby has a 1.08 ERA in 17 appearance with four shut outs and a save. She has 25 walks and 118 strike outs in 97.2 innings.

 

Head coach Kathy Rodolf has New Mexico State on a roll, winning their last eight straight games, including a three-game sweep of Louisiana Tech last weekend in Las Cruces. The Aggies lead the WAC with a 14-1 record and is 36-12 overall. As a team, the Aggies are hitting a whopping .344 and is eighth in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 7.2 runs per game.

 

Leading the Aggies' charge is Hoku Nohara who is hitting .444 (48-for-108) with a team high 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 50 walks and a 1.074 slugging percentage. Kandis Jones leads NMSU with 50 runs scored and is second on the team with a .417 average while Tiare Jennings is hitting .380 (52-for-137) with 47 runs scored seven doubles and 14 homers. Keep your eyes on Kylie Randall who has stolen a team-high 28 bases in 30 attempts and is second on the team with 48 runs scored.

 

The pitching staff is comprised of six players who have all seen action in the circle this season. Alex Newman leads the staff with a 3.63 ERA and a 20-4 record with three shut outs in 125.1 innings. She has walked 48 while striking out 69 batters. Celisha Walker is 6-4 with 76.1 innings pitched this season and a 4.03 ERA.

 

What: New Mexico State (36-12, 14-1 WAC) at Hawai'I (30-16, 8-7 WAC)

Special Promotion: “Senior Night” festivities will take place immediately following Saturday night's doubleheader. Hawai'i will honor its three seniors who will have played their final home games at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium—Jasey Jensen, Jenna Rodriguez, and Melissa Gonzalez.

When: Friday, April 29, 2011 at 6:00 pm; Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 4:00 pm (DH)

Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200)

Series Sponsor: The UH-NMSU series is sponsored by Bud Light. Fans are invited to play “Ballpark Bingo.” On “Senior Night” the first 500 fans will receive a team photo compliments of the University of Hawai'i Federal Credit Union.  

Radio Coverage: ESPN 1500AM will broadcast all three games live with Blaine Kauwe calling the action.

Live Stats: Available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hawaii/softball/index.htm

Tickets: Admission is FREE!

Coaches: UH head coach Bob Coolen is 819-537-1 in his 25th overall season and 747-444-1 in his 20th year at Hawai'i. New Mexico State's head coach Kathy Rodolph is 414-319 overall in her 13th season and 218-227 in eight seasons at NMSU.

Series Information: UH leads the series against New Mexico State, 33-13 with UH winning their last four meetings. Last season, the 'Bows swept the three-game series at NMSU  (9-8, 14-3, and 13-1).

                                                                                                                               -UH-