Game NotesLAS VEGAS, Nev.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (4-2, 0-0 Big West) will head off for its annual trip to Las Vegas, Nev. to play in UNLV's DeMarini Desert Classic from Thursday, Feb. 18-Sunday, Feb. 21.
The Rainbow Wahine went 4-2 in the first week of play. Hawai'i got off to a hot start, with pitchers
Kanani Aina Cabrales and
Brittany Hitchcock both firing two shutouts to start the season at 4-0 for the 'Bows. It was the first time UH earned four-straight shutouts since 2006 when Hawai'i shut out Grambling State on the road 25-0 and 14-0 then blanked San Jose State at home, 2-0 and 3-0.
For her efforts, Aina Cabrales was named the Big West Pitcher of the Week. She blanked Ole Miss 3-0 and UMKC, 5-0 in her two appearances. Aina Cabrales faced just 28 Ole Miss batters, scattering four hits with three walks and three strike outs in the shutout win over the Rebels. Against UMKC, Aina Cabrales offered up just one free pass and struck out three more hitters for her sixth career shutout. She allowed just two Kangaroo hits. UMKC mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh, putting two runners on board off a walk and single with two outs, but Aina Cabrales induced a ground out to thwart the Roos' rally and end the game. For her two games pitched, Aina Cabrales registered a 0.00 ERA in 14 innings of work while facing just 53 batters in the two games. She held opposing batters to a .128 batting average. On Monday, Aina Cabrales dropped her first game of the year to UMKC. She enters this week with a 2-1 record and a 1.00 era with four walks and nine strike outs.
Hitchcock went 2-1 in the opening tournament with a 1.59 ERA in 22.0 innings pitched. She has zero walks with 16 strike outs and has held opposing batters to a .220 batting average.
On offense, freshman
Sarah Muzik leads UH at the plate, hitting .333 (6-for-18) with a team-high four runs scored. The lefty-leadoff hitter also leads the 'Bows with three stolen bases.
Heather Morales is second on the team with a .267 average (4-for-15) with a team-high two home runs and five FBI. Rookie
Nicole Lopez is third on the squad hitting .263 (5-for-19) with four of her five hits coming in the extra-base variety. In her first three collegiate games, Lopez had racked up a single, two doubles, a triple, and a home run.
Games 7-12Tournament: DeMarini Desert Classic (hosted by UNLV)
Schedule:Thurs. Feb. 18, 4:30 pm – BYU (at Eller Media Stadium)
Friday, Feb. 20, 3:45 pm – Oregon State (at Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex)
Friday, Feb. 20, 6:00 pm – Wichita State (at Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex)
Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1:30 pm – Southern Utah (at Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex)
Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3:45 pm – Grand Canyon (at Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex)
Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11:15 am – Utah (at Eller Media Stadium)
Livestats: Live in-game stats will be available for the BYU and Utah games. Friday games may also be online as well, but will be posted later.
