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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (8-4, 0-0 Big West) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh to score two runs to rally past UTEP­, 3-2. UH's Kanani Aina Cabrales earned the win in relief to improve her record to 4-2 on the season.
 
The Miners scored two quick runs in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter, Tahla Wade reached on a throwing error on the shortstop. After a groundout, Netane got an RBI single and later, Sargent lifted a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Natane.
 
Hawai`i loaded the bases and got one run back in the bottom of the first inning when Heather Morales was plunked which allowed Wartner to score to cut their deficit in half, 2-1.
 
The score would remain that way until the bottom of the seventh. Rachel Lack reached on a fielding error on the third baseman to start the frame. Jaramillo then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the third baseman tried unsuccessfully to get the runner out at second which left runners at first and second. Ulu Matagiese was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tayana Mata hit a grounder back to the pitcher who threw home to erase Lack at the plate. But Lindsey Willmon followed by drilling a line drive to deep centerfield which allowed pinch runner Kiani Wong to score from third on the sacrifice fly. Kayla Wartner then drew a walk to load the bases. Keiki Carlos was then beaned by the pitch for force Matagiese across the plate for winning run.
 
Hitchcock got the start, throwing the first five-plus innings. She allowed two runs on six hits with a walk and a strike out. Aina Cabrales earned the win firing the final two innings. She had one strike out and gave up one hit while facing just six batters.
 
UH's defense got two key defensive plays to keep the Miners from scoring any more runs. In the top of the fifth, UTEP's speedy lead-off batter Wade lifted a double to the right-center gap with the outfield drawn in. She tried to stretch it into a triple, but a good relay from Willmon- to-Mata-to-Lack beat Wade to the bag as Lack applied the tag for the out. In the top of the seventh, Hope Moreno got a solid hit to left rounded first base. But a solid relay from Matagiese-to-Jaramillo-to-Wartner, who was covering first as the catcher, picked off Moreno who slid back into the tag at first.
 
Hawai'i continues action in the Bank of Hawaii Invitational with a couple of games against ranked opponents on Saturday. UH will take on No.  19 UCF at 4:00 p.m. and No. 16 Washington at 6:00 p.m.
 
Bank of Hawaii Invitational
Saturday's Schedule
11:00 am - UTEP vs. UCF
1:30 pm - UTEP vs. Washington
4:00 pm - Hawai'i vs. UCF
6:00 pm - Hawai'i vs. Washington