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HONOLULU-The University of Hawai'i softball team (13-8, 0-0 Big West) overcame a seven run deficit to defeat Longwood, 8-7 in eight innings for their fourth straight win. Heather Morales launched her first career grand slam and drove in a career-high five RBI while Kristina Akiona came off the bench and drove in pinch-runner Kiani Wong for the walk-off, winningrun on a sacrifice fly. Brittany Hitchcock earned the win in relief, throwing 4-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with no walks and four strike outs.

Longwood (2-11, 0-0 Big South) got off to a good start, scoring seven unanswered runs through their first five at-bats. The Lancers' Emily Murphy led the game off with a home run over the left-centerfield fence. Longwood then added another run (unearned) in the top of the third when Glen Walters drew a leadoff walk and later came around to score on a play with two throwing errors.

The Lancers then posted three runs in the fourth on an RBI single by Chelsea Sciacca that scored Haleigh Kiliby from second. Carly Adams then hit a triple to left to score Sciacca. Walters then drove in Adams on an RBI-groundout to second.

Longwood tacked on two more unearned runs in the top of the fifth as they capitalized on two costly errors.

Hawai'i followed by bringing nine batters to the plate for a major rally in the bottom of the fifth. Ulu Matagiese started the rally by getting beaned on the helmet and pinch-hitter Akiona followed with a walk. Sarina Jaramillo then ripped a single up the middle to load the bases. Jordan Burton then slapped a ball to the pitcher for a base hit to drive in Matagiese and Wartner was then plunked to drive in the second run for UH. Keiki Carlos then hit a fielder's choice to third which erased Jaramillo at the plate. But Morales then came through with her first career grand slam that exited the ballpark over the left-centerfield fence for a brand new ballgame with UH trailing by just one run, 7-6. It was Morales' third home run of the year and of her career.

Both sides were unable to score in the sixth, but in the seventh, Hawai'i tied the score at 7-7. Burton led things off with a single to left and moved to second on a Wartner walk. Burton moved to third on a fielder's choice to second which took out Wartner at second but left runners at the corners. Morales then knotted the game with a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Burton.

The game went into extra innings with the International Tie-breaker in place. Longwood was unable to score as their batters were retired in order.

Hawai'i started the bottom of the eighth with pinch-runner Wong on second base. A sacrifice bunt by Matagiese pushed Wong to third. Akiona then came through with the game winning sacrifice fly to right field to score Wong for the win.

Kanani Aina Cabrales started the game and threw the first 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with two walks and four strike outs but did not figure in the decision.

Longwood's Elizabeth McCarthy fired a complete game, suffering the loss. She gave up eight runs on six hits with five walks and five strikeouts.

It is the second time this season that UH has come back from a seven run deficit for the win. UH gave up seven run in the first two-and-a-half innings against Utah State (Feb. 13) in UNLV's Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.