Game Notes

HONOLULU—The No. 17 University of Hawai'i softball team (24-2) opens its 16th and final Western Athletic Conference season with a three-game series against San Jose State (16-16) this week. The 'Bows and Spartans face off in a single game on Friday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. and then play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
 
The Rainbow Wahine's pitching staff has been the backbone of the team with an NCAA-best 0.77 ERA. Junior Kaia Parnaby is ranked No. 1 in the country with a 0.43 ERA and No. 1 in walks allowed per seven innings. She is 10-0 with 10 complete game wins with six shut-outs. In 65.0 innings, she has walked six while fanning 71 opposing hitters. Senior Stephanie Ricketts (14-2) has been the cornerstone of the team, throwing 107.0 innings. She has thrown 16 complete games with six shut outs and 38 walks to 128 strike outs. Against No. 1/2 California, Ricketts came through with a 10-inning complete game win tying her season-high with 12 strike outs.
 
Hawai'i is led at the plate by junior shortstop and reigning WAC Hitter of the Week, Jessica Iwata, who is hitting .413 overall, with a team high 31 hits, seven doubles and 30 RBI. Iwata was clutch in this last tournament, coming through with game-winning RBI against both No. 1/2 California and Winthrop. Freshman designated player Leisha Li'ili'i is second on the team with a .385 average (25-for-65) and is tied for the team lead with six home runs with sophomore rightfielder Sharla Kliebenstein.
 
The Rainbow Wahine moved up to No. 17 in both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/USA Today Poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll on Tuesday. The 'Bows are coming off a 3-2 performance in their final non-conference tournament of the season with wins over Marist, California and Winthrop. As a team, the 'Bows are hitting .293 combined with a .513 slugging percentage which is ranked No. 16 in the NCAA DI. UH is also ranked No. 6 in the nation with 1.35 home runs per game and No. 7 in win/loss percentage (.923). Hawai'i is also ranked No. 14 in scoring with 6.5 runs per game and 16th in fielding percentage at .975.
 
About the San Jose State Spartans
The San Jose State Spartans make their final WAC trip to Honolulu with a 16-16 record. SJSU is 2-2 in its last four games with a five-inning mercy rule win over Wisconsin and a 1-0 nine-inning win over Oklahoma State with junior pitcher Amanda Pridmore tossing a pair of shutouts on the same day. Pridmore is 8-5 on the season with a 2.21 ERA with 31 walks and 90 strike outs. The Spartans' pitching staff has a combined 3.34 ERA and has held opponents to a .273 batting average. Senior Jennifer Ames is 3-7 with a 4.62 ERA and freshman Madison Fish is 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA. Freshman Allison Lang, freshman Jordan Sauceda and sophomore Janessa Gutierrez have also seen time on the mound for the Spartans this season.
 
Freshman outfielder Michelle Cox has made an immediate impact for the Spartans as she leads SJSU with a .387 average (36-for-93) with 18 runs scored and a team-high 16 stolen bases. Junior outfielder Markesha Collins leads SJSU with 24 runs scored and has nine stolen bases to go with four doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI. Junior outfielder Vanessa House is third on the team hitting .265 (21-for-78) with a team-high three homers.
 
Games 27-29
Who: No. 17 Hawai'i (24-2) vs. San Jose State (16-16)
Date: Friday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. (doubleheader)
Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200) - Honolulu, HI
Television: OCSports will be broadcasting all three of UH's games this week. Live statewide on Ch. 12 (SD) and 1012 (HD) with Howard Dashefski (play-by-play), Lori Santi (color). Re-telecast at 10:00 p.m. on Friday night beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night.
Streaming Video: Live video streaming is available for a small fee at www.ocsports.tv.
Radio: ESPN 1420 AM will air Friday's game with Blaine Kauwe handling the play-by-play.
Streaming Audio: www.espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Promotions: California Hotel & Casino is the series sponsor and will be providing prizes for Ball Park Bingo!
Ticket Information: Admission is FREE!