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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai`i softball team (11-8, 0-0 Big West) overcame an early three-run deficit to defeat Longwood, 8-3 on the third day of the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament. The comeback was fueled by a two-run single by Leisha Li'ili'i and three home runs by Heather Morales, Ulu Matagiese, and Rachel Lack. Kanani Aina Cabrales earned the win throwing five innings in relief to improve her record to 6-5 on the year. 
 
Longwood took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Emily Murphy doubled down the leftfield line and moved to third on a single to right by Megan Baltzell. Glen Walters then drove in Murphy with a groundout to second.
 
In the second inning, the Lancers added two more runs on a solo homer by Jamie Barbour to right-centerfield and an RBI single by Murphy. Longwood led 3-0 after an inning and a half of play.
 
In the second inning, Rachel Lack gave UH their first run of the game on a solo home run hit on a line over the leftfield fence. It was Lack's second home run of the season and her young career. Hawai 'i still trailed 3-1 after two innings.
 
Hawai'i then leapfrogged over the Lancers in the bottom of the third, posting five runs to take a 6-3 lead. A pair of walks to Tayana Mata and Lindsey Willmon started the inning. A fly out to left and a fielder's choice left two runners on with two outs. Morales was then plunked to load the bases for Leisha Li'ili'I who ripped a single up the middle to score both Mata and Willmon. Matagiese followed with a three run blast over the high netting in left field to give UH a 6-3 lead after three complete innings. It was Matagiese's second home run of the tournament and third of the sophomore's career.
 
In the fifth, Morales hit her second home run of the tournament and her career. It was a two-run bomb over the leftfield fence. Hawai`i led 8-3 after five innings.
 
That's the way the game ended, as Aina Cabrales shut down the Lancers the rest of the way. She fired five complete shut-out innings, allowing just two hits with one walk and a season-high seven strike outs. Brittany Hitchcock threw the first two innings, allowing three runs on five hits.
 
Longwood's Libby Morris took the loss, dropping her record to 1-2. She threw the first three innings, allowing six runs on four hits with three walks and two strike outs. Jenna Carnes closed the game, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and two strike outs.
 
In the tournament, 22 of UH's 26 runs scored have come off of home runs.

Hawai'i concludes the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament on Sunday, with a re-match against San Jose State at 3:00 p.m.
 
Sunday's Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament Schedule
10:00 am – Longwood vs. California
12:30 pm – Longwood vs. San Jose State
3:00 pm – Hawai`i vs. San Jose State