Box Score

FRESNO, Calif.—The fourth-seeded University of Hawai`i softball team (37-17, 14-7 WAC) lost to top-seeded New Mexico State (41-5, 17-4 WAC), 5-4 on a two-run, walk-off home run. Jenna Rodriguez (3-1, 2-1 WAC) took the loss in relief, throwing the final 2.2 innings.

 

The 'Bows got on the scoreboard first, posting one run in the top of the third inning. The 'Bows mounted a rally with two outs. Dara Pagaduan reached on a fielding error on the second baseman. Kelly Majam followed by drilling a single through the rightside of the infield to put runners on first and second. Jasey Jensen then came through with an RBI single to center to score Pagaduan from second for the first run of the game, and an early 1-0 lead.

 

The Aggies knotted the score at 1-1 on Valerie Swedberg's solo home run. Majam chased it down and caught it just over the fence, but the ball popped out of her glove as she collided hard with the right-centerfield fence as she flipped over.

 

Hawai`i went ahead in the fifth inning, 4-1. Pagaduan led the inning off by beating out a single back to the pitcher. A throwing error on the shortstop allowed Majam to reach safely and move Pagaduan to third. A ground out by Jensen moved both runners into scoring position for Jessica Iwata who drilled a single to center to score both Pagaduan and Majam. Iwata advanced on the throw home and Gonzalez brought her home with a single to left to give UH a 4-1 lead.

 

But the Aggies got two runs back in the bottom of the sixth to cut their deficit to 4-3. Ashley Maroda reached on a throwing error on the shortstop. Pinch runner Shaleese Javillo then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt to first. A walk to Brittany Clifton put runners at first and second then Tehani Ka`aihue hit a fielder's choice to the shortstop to erase Javillo at third. But Kylie Randall then launched a double to the left-center gap to score both Clifton and Ka`aihue.

 

Then in the bottom of the seventh, Tiare Jennings walked to start the inning and Hoku Nohara ended the game on a two-run blast to leftfield to give the Aggies the 5-4 win.

 

Stephanie Ricketts started the game and threw the first 3.1 innings, giving up one run on four hits with two walks and two strike outs. Rodriguez closed the game, giving up four runs on two hits with three walks and two strike outs.

 

NMSU's Kelsey Schueler (4-3) earned the win, throwing the final 2.1 innings. She did not allow any runs or hits. Alex Newman got the start and threw the first 4.2 innings. She gave up four runs on seven hits with a walk and a strike out.

 

Hawai`i now plays Fresno State later today at 4:30 p.m. in an elimination game.

 

 
                                                                                                                               -UH-