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HENDERSON, Nev.-The University of Hawai'i softball team split their Friday doubleheader, falling in five innings to Oregon State, 11-1 then bouncing back to defeat Wichita State 6-2 on the second day of the DeMarini Desert Classic. The Rainbow Wahine played Friday's games at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex in Henderson, Nev.


Oregon State 11, Hawai'i 1 (5 innings)
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Hawai'i's Brittany Hitchcock suffered the loss, dropping her record to 2-3. She threw the first four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout. Naomi Monahan got her first appearance on the mound and threw one inning, allowing six runs on six hits with a walk.

Oregon State got on the scoreboard first, loading the bases with one out and posting three runs after stringing four-straight hits together with an RBI single by Mikela Manewa and a two-RBI single by Jessica Garcia. The Beavers added two more runs in the fourth on an RBI single by Shelby Weeks and an RBI-groundout by Lovie Lopez.

Hawai'i got their first hit and run of the ballgame with a single by Sarah Muzik in the bottom of the fourth inning. Muzik led the inning off with a single to the pitcher. After a pop-out, Keiki Carlos got an infield hit to short to move Muzik to second. Heather Morales followed with a single to rightfield to score Muzik from second to trail OSU, 5-1 going into the top of the fifth.

In the fifth, UH's Naomi Monahan made her first career appearance on the mound for the Rainbow Wahine. The Beavers went on to score six runs to extend their lead to 11-1 over UH. Madison Anthony started the inning by launching a solo home run to left. A passed ball allowed the Beavers to score another run followed by three RBI-hits by Weeks and Natalie Hampton.

Oregon State's Meehra Nelson remained perfect with a 4-0 record. She threw a complete game, giving up just one run on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.


Hawai'i 6, Wichita State 2
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After two lopsided losses to BYU and Oregon State to start the Desert Classic, the Rainbow Wahine righted the ship with a 6-2 win over the Wichita State Shockers. The win also snapped UH's four-game losing streak. Hawai'i improved to 5-4 while Wichita State dropped to 3-4.

Hawai'i scored a season-high six runs, while racking up a season-high 10 hits-including two home runs, one each by Rachel Lack and Nicole Lopez.

Kanani Aina Cabrales improved her record to 3-1 on the season after earning her third complete game victory. She allowed two runs on four hits. She issued four walks with five strike outs while facing 28 batters.

Lack launched her first home run of the season with a shot over the right-centerfield fence to lead off the second inning. It marks her ninth home run of her career.

In the third inning, UH posted three runs to go up, 4-0. Dori Ann Sugai got things started with a base hit to left filed. Muzik followed by lacing a single up to centerfield. Lopez then drilled a three-run home run over the centerfield fence to give the Rainbow Wahine a 4-0 lead. It was Lopez's second home run of the freshman's collegiate career.

Wichita State however, responded by cutting their deficit in half in the bottom of the third. Mackenzie Wright drove in the first run with an RBI single that scored McKenzie Adams followed by an RBI-fielder's choice hit to third by Kelli Spring allowing Johnson to score. After three complete innings, Hawai'i led Wichita State, 4-2.

Hawai'i got both runs back in the top of the fifth. Lopez led the frame off with an infield single to short. Carlos followed with a single to left to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball. After a strike out, Lack grounded out to short which allowed Lopez to score and move Carlos to third. Ulu Matagiese was then hit by a pitch to keep the inning going. UH then executed a double steal, allowing Carlos to cross the plate to give the Rainbow Wahine a 6-2 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wichita State loaded the bases with two outs with a walk, a double down the rightfield line, and a walk. But UH got a fly out to left to stymie the Shockers. Aina Cabrales then closed the game retiring the Shockers in order in the bottom of the seventh.

Hawai'i continues play in the DeMarini Desert Classic with another doubleheader on Saturday. The 'Bows will take on Southern Utah at 1:30 pm (PT) and Grand Canyon at 3:45 pm (PT). Both games will be played at the Stephanie Lynn Craig Softball Complex.