Tournament Notes

LAS VEGAS—The University of Hawai`i softball team (6-0) is in Las Vegas, Nev. this week for its annual trip to UNLV's Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, Feb. 16-19. The 'Bows will battle Memphis, Portland State, UC Riverside, CSU Northridge, Idaho State and host UNLV at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex and Eller Media Stadium.
 
The Rainbow Wahine are off to a 6-0 start for just the fourth time in program history. Last week, the 'Bows captured the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic with a strong performance by the offense and a solid showing for the team's defense and pitching staff. Through their first six games of the season, UH has outscored their opponents 47-to-5 and outhit their counterparts, .368-to-.156.
 
Hawai`i's pitching duo of reigning Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, Stephanie Ricketts and junior southpaw Kaia Parnaby proved to be formidable once again as they combined for a 0.70 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .156 batting average. Ricketts earned four complete game wins—including two shut-outs—with seven walks and 31 strike outs in 28.0 innings of work. Parnaby did not allow an earned run in her pair of complete game wins. She recorded one shut-out over Seattle. Parnaby has not issued a walk yet while fanning 16 in 12.0 innings.
 
On offense, it's been the been the bottom of the line-up that has provided much punch through the first six games of the season. The No. 9 batter in the line-up—senior second baseman Dara Pagaduan—currently leads UH with a .467 average (7-for-15) with three doubles, a home run, and five RBI. UH's No. 8 hitter, senior first baseman Makani Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu, is second on the team after going 6-for-13 at the plate for a .462 average. Also coming through at the plate was senior third baseman Sarah Robinson who hit safely in all six games with a .450 average; junior shortstop Jessica Iwata and freshman catcher Kayla Wartner who both hit 8-for-18 for an identical .444 average with seven RBI and one home run a piece.  Freshman designated player Leisha Li`ili`i led UH with two homers and hit .353 while junior centerfielder Kelly Majam scored a team-high six runs while drawing a team high five walks.
 
2012 Louisville Slugger Desert Classic Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 16  (UNLV Field)
7:30 p.m. – vs. Memphis
 
Friday, Feb. 17
11:15 a.m. – vs. Portland State (SLC1)
3:45 p.m. – vs. UC Riverside (SLC2)
 
Saturday, Feb. 18
3:45 p.m. – vs. CSU Northridge (SLC2)
6:00 p.m. – vs. Idaho State (SLC2)
 
Sunday, Feb. 19 (UNLV Field)
1:30 p.m. – at UNLV