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LAS VEGAS, Nev.—The University of Hawai`i softball team (7-0) overpowered Memphis, 9-1 in an eight-run rule, six inning game. UH's freshman designated player, Leisha Li`ili`i launched her first career grand slam and had five RBI, while senior pitcher Stephanie Ricketts (5-0) earned her fifth complete game win of the season at the Eller Media Stadium on the UNLV campus.
 
The 'Bows broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the third inning. Kelly Majam started the rally with a one-out single to leftfield. Later with two outs, Sarah Robinson pushed Majam to third with a double to left. A walk to cleanup hitter Jessica Iwata loaded the bases and another walk gave Alexandra Aguirre an RBI and UH its first run of the game. Sharla Kliebenstein then hit a fielder's choice to short that allowed Robinson to cross the plate. Then Li`ili`i then crushed a shot over the centerfield fence for the grand slam. It was her team-leading third home run of the year.
 
Memphis got on the board in the next frame to decrease its deficit to 6-1. Iijah Hargrove led the inning off with a single through the leftside of the infield. An error and a fielding error pushed Hargrove to third. She later scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Rainbow Wahine got the run back in the bottom of the fifth. Robinson drew a walk to start the inning and pinch runner Jazmine Zamora went to second after a fielding error on the third baseman allowed Aguirre to reach safely with one out. Kliebenstein was then hit by a pitch and Li`ili`I drove in her fifth RBI of the day with a walk that forced Zamora home to give UH a 7-1 lead after five complete innings.
 
Hawai`i then got two bases-loaded walks to Aguirre and Kliebenstein in the bottom of the sixth to end the game with the eight-run mercy rule in effect.
 
Ricketts spaced two hits in 6.0 innings allowing the one, unearned run. She had one walk and four strike outs.
 
Richwood suffered her first loss in her first start of the season. She started the game well, getting the first four outs of the game on strike outs. She threw 2.2 innings giving up four runs on three hits with three walks and five strike outs. Hummel threw the next 1.2 innings, giving up three runs on just one hit  and Pearson closed the game, tossing the final inning. She gave up two runs on one hit with four walks and a strike out.
 
Hawai`I continues play in the Desert Classic on Friday. UH will face Portland State at 11:15 am and then UC Riverside at 3:45 p.m. at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex in Las Vegas, Nev.