Game Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (26-19, 7-5 Big West) returns home to host a three-game conference series against UC Santa Barbara (15-30, 2-10 Big West) this week at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The series begins with a single game on Friday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m. Immediately following Friday night's game, there will be an autograph session with the Rainbow Wahine. Saturday is also Military Appreciation Day and the team will be wearing commemorative Under Armour jerseys. Colonel Lisa Ann Onaga of the U.S. Air Force will throw out the first pitch while the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Navy Color Guard will participate in pregame ceremonies with the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band will be playing the National Anthem.
 
Hawai'i is coming off a 2-1 series win at Cal Poly last week. UH held off the Mustangs to open the series 3-2 but fell in Saturday's first game, 8-1. In the series finale and rubber game, the 'Bows prevailed by winning 4-1 to capture the conference series. Reigning Big West Field Player of the Week Lindsey Willmon led UH at the plate, hitting .556 (5-for-9) with two runs scored, a double and an RBI. Overall, the sophomore outfielder/catcher is hitting .283 (36-for-127) with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs. She has scored 19 runs and driven in 25 runs.  In the pitching circle, redshirt freshman Brittany Hitchcock recorded a pair of solid starts to earn both of UH's wins. In the first game, she threw 5-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and at one point retiring 13 straight batters. Kanani Aina Cabrales came in with an out and two runners on base, but she put out the fire with a pair of groundouts to squelch the Cal Poly rally. Hitchcock also fired a complete game, four-hitter in the series finale. After giving up an early run in the second inning, she settled down to retire 11 straight Mustangs. She did not allow a hit in the final 4-1/3 innings and allowed just one base runner in the seventh off a walk.
 
Overall, the Rainbow Wahine continue to be led by sophomore first baseman Heather Morales' .341 batting average (42-for-123). She also is tied with the team high with 27 RBI and an on-base percentage of .446. Fellow sophomore, shortstop Sarina Jaramillo is second on the team hitting .317 (38-for-120) with four doubles and 18 RBI. Senior catcher/outfielder Kayla Wartner is also hitting over .300 with a .304 batting average (38-for-125) with 29 runs scored, nine doubles and eight home runs (tied with Leisha Li'ili'i). Junior rightfielder Keiki Carlos leads UH with 31 runs scored, 43 hits and 10 doubles. She also has a team-high six stolen bases in seven attempts. Since moving to the leadoff position in the line up, she's reached base safely in 15 of the last 17 games
 
After two strong performances in the pitching circle, Hitchock has lowered her ERA to 2.47 in 133.0 innings pitched. She is currently 13-6 overall and 4-1 in the Big West. Overall she has 10 complete games and four shut outs in 26 appearances. She has 31 walks to 67 strike outs.  Aina Cabrales is 12-13 overall and 3-4 in the Big West. Overall she has a 2.87 ERA in 141.2 innings pitched with 13 complete games and four shut outs in 33 appearances. She has 43 walks with 84 strike outs. Opposing batters have hit.267 against both Hitchcock and Aina Cabrales.
 
In conference, Li'ili'i leads the Rainbow Wahine with a .342 average. She is tied for the team-lead with 13 hits with Carlos. Freshman utility player, Rachel Lack is second on the team hitting .324 (11-for-34) with a team-high four home runs and nine RBI in conference. Carlos leads UH with eight runs scored and three doubles in Big West action.
 
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (15-30, Big West 2-10)
The Gauchos were swept at home last week against UC Davis, falling 7-2, 5-4, and 6-1 respectively. UCSB are hungry to snap a seven-game losing streak which started in the final game at Cal Poly and includes a series sweep against CSUN.
 
Five Gauchos are hitting above the .300 mark—led by Jaqueline Hinojosa who has a .372 batting average (42-for-113) and she has scored 23 runs with nine RBI. Arianna Palomares is second on the team hitting .356 (53-for-149) with a team-high 14 doubles. She has scored 21 runs and driven in 26 runs. Kristen Clark is right behind Palomares, hitting .354 with a team-high 57 hits in 161 at-bats. She has scored 24 runs and has a team-high nine stolen bases in 11 attempts. MeShalon Moore leads UCSB with 29 runs scored and 30 RBI and a .579 slugging percentage. Shelby Wisdom is put up solid numbers across the board, hitting .290 (36-for-124) with 22 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs (team-high), and 28 RBI.
 
The Gauchos have three pitchers who have all seen significant time in the circle. Alex Pingree is their most effective pitcher at 7-7 with a 4.89 ERA in 103.0 innings pitched. She has appeared in 25 games with 36 walks and 45 strike outs. Ashley Ludlow is 4-16 with a 5.62 ERA in 127.0 innings pitched. She has made a team-high 36 appearances with 60 walks and 59 strikeouts. Lena Mayer is 4-7 with a 7.73 ERA in 60.2 innings.
 
Games 46-48
Who: Hawai'i (26-19, 7-5 Big West) vs. UC Santa Barbara (15-30, 2-10 Big West)
When: Friday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. (doubleheader)
Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200) – Honolulu, O'ahu
Promotions: Jack In The Box is the series sponsor and will provide great prizes for the winners of the popular "Ballpark Bingo." Saturday is "Military Appreciation Day" at the RWSS – the Rainbow Wahine will be wearing special edition Under Armour jerseys to honor our military service men and women.
Live streaming video: Fans can watch this weekend's series at HawaiiAthletics.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Series History: UH leads the series vs. UCSB, 44-19, but last season the Gauchos won the series 2-1 in Santa Barbara. The first two games went to extra innings with UCSB taking the first game 9-8 in eight innings. The second game swung to over with UH winning 9-8 in nine innings. The Gauchos won the series and the rubber game with a 6-4 victory.