HONOLULU— The University of Hawai'i set the tone for the start of the Big West Conference schedule with a doubleheader sweep over UC Santa Barbara Friday evening at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (2-3, 2-0) started the conference slate at 2-0 for the first time since 2014 when the 'Bows convincingly swept UC Riverside to start the year 3-0. The Gauchos (3-15, 0-2) are in the midst of a six-game losing streak dating back to March 9th.
 
The 'Bows and Gauchos will wrap up their season series with a doubleheader on Saturday. The first game will count towards their conference records, while the second game of the day will not register as a Big West contest.
 
Game 1
 
The 'Bows played a classic game of comeback in the first game of the day, using the long ball to complete the 4-3 victory over the Gauchos.
 
UCSB jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the top of the third inning after loading the bases against freshman pitcher Jetta Nannen. The Longmont, Colorado native hit a batter to force in a run and then walked a batter to allow another run to cross the plate. The lead was cut in half after a two-out triple by junior center fielder Brittnee Rossi, followed by freshman Ka'ena Keliinoi getting hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Senior third baseman Angelique "Cheeks" Ramos capitalized on the rally, lining a single down the third baseline, scoring Rossi, and making the game a 2-1 deficit for the home squad.
 
The next two and a half innings proved to be a pitcher's duel between Nannen and Emily Schuttish as the score remained 2-1 till the bottom of the sixth. After two errors by the Gauchos' defense to let Ramos and junior shortstop Nawai Kaupe reach base, freshman right fielder Maya Nakamura sent a ball over the left-field wall for a three-run homer giving UH the 4-2 lead heading into the seventh.
 
UCSB threatened with the bases loaded, pushing a run across to make it 4-3, but senior pitcher Emily Klee closed the door for her first save of the season.
 
The win was the first of the 'Bows' season and improved Nannen's record to 1-2 on the year.
 
GAME 2
 
The 'Bows' power proved to be the difference-maker again in game two as it came from the opposite outfield position compared to game one.
 
In the bottom of the second, freshman second baseman Rachel "Bueller" Sabourin walked,  freshman first baseman Mya'Liah Bethea picked up a bunt single, and Keliioni did the same, reaching base off a bunt single. Junior designated player Sammie Ofoia got UH on the board with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Sabourin.
 
With runners on first and second, senior left fielder Bree Soma stepped up to the plate and launched an opposite-field homer to left-center field for her first long ball of the season. Soma's homer marked the fourth of her career and gave UH a 4-0 lead.
 
Junior pitcher Ashley Murphy worked her way out of trouble throwing seven innings and squashed every scoring chance by the Gauchos in the first six innings. One of the most notable threats came in the top of the fifth, in a bases-loaded situation. Murphy had her defensive pick her up with a 3-2-4 double play to work out of trouble, keeping the shutout intact.
 
Murphy and the defense's efforts were rewarded as Kaupe picked up her second home run of the season with a two-run shot to left field for a 6-0 lead. UH added another insurance run on a UCSB error in right field off the bat of Betha, scoring Sabourin for a 7-0 advantage.
 
The Gauchos added three runs in the seventh, ended the bid for Murphy to notch her second career shutout. Murphy picked up her first win of the year and the seventh of her career in the effort.