HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (20-19, 4-6 Big West) fell in the series opener, 4-3 to Cal State Fullerton (24-20, 9-1 BWC) on Friday night at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Hawai'i scored three runs early, but the Titans chipped away scoring two in the second, one in fourth and one in the sixth to overtake the 'Bows for the win.
 
Hawai'i got off to a strong start in the first inning. Rachael Turner continued her hot hitting, blasting a two-run homer over the centerfield fence. It was her third home run of the season and her career. A couple batters later, Britnee Rossi lifted her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot over the left-centerfield fence to give the 'Bows a 3-0 lead.
 
The Titans answered right back as Bryanna Ybarra launched a two-run home run to centerfield, to cut the UH lead to 3-2.
 
In the top of the fourth, the Titans tied the game at 3-3 on a Zoe Richard RBI single to right that drove in Kelsie Whitmore from second.
 
UH starter Dana Thomsen suffered the loss, dropping her record to 12-12 overall and 3-3 in conference. She fired her 18^th complete game of the season. She allowed four runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in seven innings of work.
 
Cal State Fullerton's Sophie Frost improved to 10-5 overall and 4-1 in the Big West. She threw the first six innings, allowing three runs on five hits with four walks and six strike outs. Trish Parks earned the save giving up one hit with a strikeout in the final frame.
 
Both teams will conclude the three-game conference series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 2:00 pm at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.