HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (12-4, 0-0 Big West) finished a busy week with a 7-2 win over Canisius on Sunday afternoon at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Third baseman Nicole Lopez launched a pair of two-run home runs to lead the UH offense, while starting pitcher Brittany Hitchcock (3-3) earned the complete game win.
 
Hawai'i jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. Nicole Lopez lifted a two-run home run home run sailed over the right-centerfield fence. It was Lopez's fourth home run of the season. Later in the inning, designated player Jenna Kumabe drilled her first career home run to give UH a 3-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the second, UH added another run. With runners at second and third, Brittnee Rossi drove in Heather Cameron with a groundout to the rightside. After two innings UH led Canisius, 4-0.
 
Hawai'i added another run in the third on an RBI-double by Sissy Pantastico that scored Cheeks Ramos from second to give the 'Bows a 5-0 lead.
 
Lopez then hit her second home run of the game, tying her career single-game high. She drove Heather Cameron. It is the third time that Lopez has cranked out two homers in one game, the last time coming last season against Cal Poly. It was Lopez's fourth home run of the week. Hawai'i led 7-0 after four innings of play.
 
Hitchcock almost had a shutout, but it slipped away as the 'Bows gave up two unearned runs in the top of the seventh. She spaced seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts on the afternoon.
 
Although UH committed three defensive errors, they team also turned three double plays in the game.
 
Canisius starter Alexis Churchill gave up three runs on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts in one inning to start the game. Lauren Castro threw the next 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with a walk. Emily Nicosia threw the final 2.1 innings. She recorded the last seven-straight outs and had two strikeouts.
 
Hawai'i now has nine days off before starting a span of hosting 11-straight days of softball games. The next tourney up is the Outrigger Resorts Spring Fling tournament which runs from March 6-9 at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.