HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (9-8, 0-0 Big West) continue their long homestand with a busy week. On Tuesday, March 7, the Rainbow Wahine will take on Toledo in a non-tournament doubleheader beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Outrigger Spring Fling Tournament then begins on Wednesday with Charleston Southern and Toledo remaining from the last tournament along with No. 20 Utah and Marist also competing in the five-day tourney.
 
Hawai'i posted a 3-2 record this past week in the Coca-Cola Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament. The Rainbow Wahine notched two wins over Charleston Southern and one against Toledo, but fell twice to Seattle. Leading Hawai'i on offense was sophomore third baseman, Nicole Lopez who hit .571 (8-for-14) with five of her eight hits going for extra bases with three triples and two home runs. She had a slugging percentage of 1.204. Overall, Lopez raised her batting average to .327 and leads the 'Bows with four home runs and is tied for the team-high in runs scored with 8 and doubles with three. Sophomore second baseman Sarah Muzik was close behind, hitting .353 (6-for-17) with a team-high four runs scored. Muzik however leads the team overall with a .351 batting average and also has three doubles. Danielle Garcielita is second on the team right now hitting .327 as the leadoff. She and three others are tied for the team lead with eight runs scored.
 
In the pitching circle, Brittany Hitchcock continues to see the bulk of the load. She has made 12 appearances and thrown 65.2 innings. Hitchcock is 6-5 with a 2.98 ERA with 13 walks to 51 strikeouts. Dana Thomsen has proven to be solid in the circle as well, with a 2.57 ERA and a 2-2 record in 30.0 innings pitched. She has nine walks and 30 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .196 batting average. Kanani Aina Cabrales made her return to the line-up appearing in one game this past week after dealing with illnesses. She threw a strong four innings but did not figure in the decision against Toledo.
 
Outrigger Spring Fling Tournament
Teams: Hawai'i, Charleston Southern, Marist, Toledo, Utah
Dates: March 8-12, 2017
Venue: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200) – Honolulu, HI
Promotions: Outrigger Resorts is the tournament sponsor and will provide great prizes for the winners of the popular "Ballpark Bingo." Also, Outrigger Resorts t-shirts will be thrown into the stands during the fourth inning of each UH game. 
Livestats: Live in-game stats are available at the HawaiiAthletics.com softball schedule page
Coaches: Hawai'i head coach Bob Coolen is in his 26th season and has a 930-551-1 record at UH. Last week, he reached his 1,00^0th career win and now has a career record of 1,002-649-1 in 31 seasons. Toledo's Kristen Butler is in her third season with the Rockets with a 51-75 career record. Charleston Southern's Shane Winkler is in his ninth season with the Buccaneers and has a career record of 227-276. Marist's Joe Ausanio has a career record of 226-212 and is in his ninth season with the Red Foxes. Utah's Amy Hogue is in her 10^th season with the Utes with a 262-233-1 record. Overall 470-323-1 in 16 season.
Series Records:  UH has a 4-1 record against Toledo with a 4-1 win over the Rockets this past weekend. UH has a 2-0 record against CSU—both wins coming last week. Hawai'i has a 21-13 record against Utah, but last year, the Utes mercy ruled UH in Las Vegas, 9-0(5). The 'Bows have a 2-0 record over Marist with both wins coming in 2012 in two UH tournaments.

Outrigger Spring Fling Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, March 8
4:00 p.m.    Utah vs. Toledo
6:00 p.m.    Hawai'i vs. Charleston Southern 

Thursday, March 9
1:00 p.m.    CSU vs. Toledo
3:30 p.m.    CSU vs. Utah
6:00 p.m.    Hawai'i vs. Utah

Friday, March 10
1:00 p.m.    Utah vs. CSU
3:30 p.m.    Marist vs. Toledo
6:00 p.m.    Hawai'i vs. Toledo

Saturday, March 11
10:00 a.m.    CSU vs. Toledo
12:00 p.m.    Utah vs. Toledo
2:00 p.m.      CSU vs. Marist
4:00 p.m.      Hawai'i vs. Marist

Sunday, March 12
2:00 p.m.    Hawai'i vs. Marist