Series Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (25-12, 3-3 WAC) returns home to host a three-game Western Athletic Conference series against Nevada (10-22, 1-5 WAC) this weekend. First pitch for Friday night's single game is at 6:00 pm with Saturday's doubleheader starting at 4:00 pm at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

 

The Rainbow Wahine are looking to bounce back against the Wolf Pack after being swept at Fresno State. Senior utility player Jenna Rodriguez continues to lead the team with a .313 batting average (35-for-112) with four doubles and 21 RBI. Sophomore shortstop Jessica Iwata is hitting .307 (35-for-114) with team-highs in runs scored (31) and home runs (11). Rookie catcher Sharla Kliebenstien has driven in a team-best 30 RBI thus far and is second on the team with 10 home runs and 25 runs scored. She leads Hawai'i with seven doubles and a .667 slugging percentage and sophomore centerfielder Kelly Majam is working her way back up the team rankings with a .275 batting average overall (28-for-102) but she is leading the team in conference action with a .333 average (6-for-18).

 

The strength of squad has been the pitching staff with junior Stephanie Ricketts and sophomore Kaia Parnaby leading the way with a 1.53. Ricketts is 15-9 overall and 2-2 in WAC games with a 1.56 ERA with seven shut outs. She has walked 45 while striking out 182 batters in 161.1 innings pitched. Parnaby is 9-3 overall and 1-1 in conference. She is sporting a 1.20 ERA with 17 walks to 95 strike outs while holding opponents to a .177 batting average.

 

The 'Bows fell out of both Top 25 polls this week. Hawai'i was ranked for 14 straight weeks dating back to April 6 last season.

 

Who: Hawai'i (25-12, 3-3 WAC) vs. Nevada (10-22, 1-5 WAC)

Date/Time: Friday, April 8 at 6:00 pm; Saturday, April 9 (DH) at 4:00 pm

Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200)

Series Sponsor: California Hotel & Casino

Promotion: Fans can play Ballpark Bingo to win prizes provided by California Hotel & Casino

Radio: ESPN 1500 will only carry the first game of Saturday's doubleheader at 4:00 pm with Blaine Kauwe handling the play-by-play.

Audio webcast: None available

Live Stats: Live in game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com

Coaches: Bob Coolen is in his 20th season with the Rainbow Wahine with a 742-440-1. Overall he is 814-534-1 in 25 seasons. Matt Meuchel is in his third season at Nevada with a 66-67 record.

Series Information: Hawai'i has a slight 18-17 lead over the Wolf Pack after sweeping Nevada last year in Reno (6-2; 20-0; 11-2).


                                                                                                                                           -UH-