HONOLULU--The University of Hawai'i softball team (20-18, 4-5 Big West) returns home to host league-leader Cal State Fullerton (23-20, 8-1 Big West) this week. The two teams will square off in a single game on Friday, April 20 at 6:00 pm. The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 21 beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Last week, Hawai'i held off UC Santa Barbara 3-2 in the series opener at the Campus Diamond. The 'Bows however were swept in Saturday's doubleheader, 8-0 (6 innings) but battled back to force extra innings before falling to the Gauchos, 6-5 in eight innings. Eight Hawai'i games have ended with the mercy rule with UH going 3-5. It was UH's second extra inning game this season.

Turner's Power Surge Continues
Senior first baseman Rachael Turner led the 'Bows at the plate this past week, hitting .444 (4-for-9). In the series opener, she homered in the second straight game...and, for the second-straight game Turner provided what ended up being the winning run. She launched a two-run home run in the third inning to give UH a 3-0 lead and Hawai'i then held off the Gauchos in the game for a 3-2 win. It was her second career home run in as many games.

Overall, Turner is hitting a career-high .274 (29-for-106) with two doubles, two homers and 18 RBI. She has come through in the clutch this season with three walkoff hits. She is second on the team with five multiple-RBI games and third with seven multiple-hit games.  The Las Vegas, Nev.-native has started in 36 of UH's 38 games played this season all at first base.

Heen Continues Offensive Onslaught
Sophomore catcher/designated player Callee Heen is one of just three Rainbow Wahine (along with Nicole Lopez and Danielle Garcielita) to have started all 38 games thus far this year. She is currently tied for the conference lead with 13 home runs. Overall, she leads UH in 10 offenisive categories, including batting average (.368), total hits (39), runs scored (22), home runs (13), RBI (31), slugging percentage (.792), walks (14), on-base percentage (.464), multiple-hit games (10), and multiple-RBI games (9). Heen had a team-best 14-game hit streak end vs. LBSU, but it was the longest UH hitting streak since former Rainbow Wahine Keiki Carlos hit safely in 15-straight games in 2013.

Heen is just the seventh Rainbow Wahine in the last five seasons to hit 10 or more home runs. Her 13 homers are the most since Leisha Li'ili'i hit 15 in 2014. Eighteen of her 39 hits have gone for extra bases this season (four doubles, one triple and 13 homers).

Garcielita Coming On Strong Back as Leadoff
After nine games starting with James Madison on March 10, senior centerfielder Danielle Garcielita moved back to the top of the order since game two of the LBSU series. She currently leads the team in the Big West with a .357 batting average (10-for-28). She is the only Rainbow Wahine with double-digit hits. Overall, Garcielita is hitting .212  with 12 runs scored, a double and eight RBI. Ten of her total hits have come in the BWC season.

Lopez Staying Steady on Offense
Junior third baseman Nicole Lopez has been consistent on offense all season long and moved up to second on the team with a .311 batting average (38-for-122). She leads UH with five doubles and is second on the team with 21 runs scored, 38 hits, seven home runs, and 20 RBI.

Two weeks ago against Cal Poly, she launched two home runs in one game for the second time this season and in her career. She smacked a three-run homer in the first inning and later a two-run bomb to give her a career high five RBI.

Thomsen Anchors Pitching Staff
Last week, senior pitcher Dana Thomsen split her two starts, earning a 3-2 win in the opener, but falling 8-0 in six innings in the second game. Two weeks ago, she earned her first ever Big West Pitcher of the Week honor after she stymied the Mustangs with a pair of complete game shutouts. Thomsen is the first Rainbow Wahine to earn a Big West weekly honor this season.

Thomsen enters this week with a 12-11 overall record and 3-2 conference mark. She comes into this week with a 3.03 ERA in 145.2 innings pitched. She has thrown 17 complete games in 24 starts and 26 appearances this year. She has given up 42 walks while striking out 112 batters. She has held opponents to a .275 batting average.

HItchcock Out for the Season
Senior pitcher Brittany Hitchcock is down for the rest of the season due to injury. She appeared in just 10 games this year with a 5-4 record. Hitchcock had a 1.97 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched with two shutouts in six complete games. At the time of her season-ending injury, she had 42 strikeouts with 14 walks while holding opposing team to a .245 batting average.

Freshmen Klee and Martinez Seeing More Time in the Circle
Rookie southpaw Emily Klee has made seven appearances while posting a 2-1 overall record. She earned her first collegiate win in a 4.1 inning, relief appearance against Cleveland State. Klee made her first collegiate start against the Vikings in the same week and made her longest appearance, throwing 5.1 innings to earn her second win of the season.  Overall, she has a 6.19 ERA in 26.0 innings pitched with 12 walks and 12 strikeouts.

Martinez has made three career starts, the first coming at Long Beach State in that series finale. She earned her first collegiate win in the series finale against Cal Poly. Although she gave up two early runs to start the game, she steadied herself and blanked the Mustangs the rest of the game en route to a 3-2 win. she is still searching for her first career strikeout. Last week, she made her longest appearance of her career, going into the eighth inning against UCSB. She is 1-2 on the season with a 4.03 ERA in 24.1 innings pitched.

Games 39-41: Hawai'i vs. Cal State Fullerton
Teams: Hawai'i (20-18, 4-5 Big West) at Cal State Fullerton (23-20, 8-1 Big West)
Dates: Friday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m. HT; Saturday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. HT (DH)
Site: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium - Honolulu, O'ahu (1,200)
Promotions: H-Zone is the series sponsor and will provide sunglasses and decals for the winners of the popular "Ballpark Bingo."  Also, t-shirts will be thrown into the stands during the fourth inning.   Live Video Streaming: Live video streaming will be available for outer island and mainland fans. Go to the HawaiiAthletics.com softball schedule page for links through BigWest.tv.
Livestats: Live in-game stats will be available at hawaiiathletics.com.
Series History: Cal State Fullerton holds a 55-16 series lead over Hawai'i. The Titans have won the last six-straight games.