Game Notes

DAVIS, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (16-17, 0-0 Big West) opens its 2016 Big West Conference season on the road this week, as they head to UC Davis (11-15, 0-0 BWC) to take on the Aggies. The three-game series begins on Friday, April 1 with a single game at 3:00 pm with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 2. First pitch for the double-dip is slated for 1:00 pm at La Rue Field.
 
The Rainbow Wahine are coming off a week's worth of rest which was well deserved as the 'Bows played in six consecutive tournaments—including the last four straight at home.
 
A pair of rookies leads UH on offense going into the conference season. Freshman Sarah Muzik continues to lead UH with a .288 batting average. The utility player also leads UH with 24 runs scored, 30 hits 14 walks (tied with Keiki Carlos) and four stolen bases. Third baseman Nicole Lopez is second on the team hitting .284 (29-for-102). Lopez has a team-high .471 slugging percentage and is tops on the team with 18 RBI. She is has six doubles, two triples, and three home runs.
 
In the pitching circle, sophomore Brittany Hitchcock and freshman Jennifer Iseri are expected to be the starters with Kanani Aina Cabrales coming out of the bullpen as the ace reliever. Hitchcock comes into the conference season with a 6-8 record and a team-low 2.65 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched. She has walked just four batters this season while striking out 58. She is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA in walks allowed per seven innings (0.32).  Iseri has emerged as a steady presence in the circle in the past few tourneys. She is 3-2 with a 3.64 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched. Aina Cabrales is 7-7 overall and has thrown a team-high 92.0 innings and has recorded 27 walks and 54 strike outs while holding opponents to a .249 batting average.
 
Last season, Hawai'i swept the Aggies in the final series of the season. In the first game, UH overcame an early 5-1 deficit, scoring nine unanswered runs to defeat UCD, 10-5. In the second game of the doubleheader, UH pounded five home runs en route to a 13-1 win. On Senior Day, the 'Bows completed the sweep with a 7-1 win highlighted by a Keiki Carlos grand slam in the second inning.
 
Games 34-36
Who: Hawai'i (16-17, 0-0 Big West) vs. UC Davis (11-15, 0-0 Big West)
When: Friday, April 1 at 3:00 pm; Saturday, April 2 (DH) at 1:00 pm
Where: La Rue Field (Davis, Calif.)
Livestats: Live in-game stats will be available at www.ucdavisaggies.com
Series History: Hawai'i leads the series against UC Davis, 11-3. Last season the 'Bows swept the Aggies 10-5; 13-1; and 7-1 in the final series of the season.