Box Score

FRESNO, Calif.—The University of Hawai`i softball team (37-18, 14-7 WAC) was eliminated from the WAC Tournament on Thursday night, falling short against Fresno State, 2-1. Sophomore pitcher Kaia Parnaby (12-6) suffered the complete game loss.

 

The Bulldogs' leadoff hitter Haley Gilleland led the game off with a triple to the right-centerfield gap. She was driven in on a sacrifice fly to rightfield by the next batter Andrea Ortega for the early, 1-0 lead.

 

Fresno State added another run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Courtney Moore to rightfield, giving them a 2-0 lead.

 

Hawai`i cut their deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth. Jessica Iwata and Jenna Rodriguez started the inning with back-to-back singles. But Gonzalez hit a low liner to second that the second baseman backhanded on the fly and flipped to the shortstop at second to double off Iwata. Alex Aguirre kept the inning alive with a single to centerfield and Sharla Kliebenstein followed with another single to center to give UH their first run of the game. At the end of six, UH trailed 2-1.

 

The 'Bows out-hit the Bulldogs, 9-to-5, and had runners on in every inning but the fifth, but were unable to capitalize, leaving eight runners on base to Fresno State's four. Hawai`i's Melissa Gonzalez and Aguirre both went 2-for-3 to lead UH at the plate.

 

Fresno State's Michelle Moses earned the win, giving up the one run on nine hits with a walk and three strike outs.

 

Earlier in the day, UH had their seven game win streak snapped by New Mexico State with a two-run walk-off home run, losing 5-4.

                                                                                                                      -UH-