HONOLULU-- Following their first week off since Big West play began on March 19th, the University of Hawai'i returns to Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Friday to host Long Beach State in a No. 2 vs. No. 3 conference standings matchup.
| HAWAI'I (11-9, 10-5 Big West) vs. LONG BEACH STATE (22-6, 15-2 Big West) |
| Date | Time |
Friday Apr. 30, 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m., Saturday May 1 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. HT |
| Location |
Honolulu, O'ahu. - Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium |
| Television |
Spectrum Sports |
| Live Stream |
Friday | Saturday |
| Radio |
None |
| Live Stats |
HawaiiAthletics.com |
| Game Notes |
Hawai'i | Long Beach State |
| Social Media |
@HawaiiSB  | #HawaiiSB | @hawaiisoftball  | Facebook  |
HEAD COACH BOB COOLEN
Overall record: 1,096-731-1 (35th season)
At Hawai'i: 1,026-635-1 (30th season)
SERIES VS LONG BEACH STATE
Overall record: 64-31, LBSU
Streak: W1
Last Hawaii win against LBSU: 11-3 @Hawaii, March 20th, 2019
FIRST PITCH
- The 'Bows last saw action against UC Riverside in a three-game series on April 16th and 17th, winning the series with a two to one advantage, scoring 17 runs over the three games. As a result, UH kept their spot in the conference standings at No. 3 with a 10-5 Big West record.
- Following the series win against the Highlanders, freshman pitcher Jetta Nannen received her first conference honor as she was named freshman pitcher of the week. Nannen picked up a decision in each of the three games for a 2-1 record while striking out nine. On top of her pitching performance, she added a double, and three runs scored in the series.
- Freshman utility player Maya Nakamura continues to be a force in the lineup as she ranks in the top-10 of various offensive categories during conference play. She ranks No. 3 in walks with 10, No. 5 in on-base percentage at .509, and No. 9 in slugging percentage at .619.
- Senior left fielder Bree Soma started the season on a solid note, and her production hasn't faded. The bottom of the lineup slugger ranks No. 5 in the Big West with 15 RBIs against conference opponents and sits at No. 10 in slugging percentage with a .600 average.
- Pitching and defense have been a catalyst for UH in 2021 as the staff ranks No. 3 in the conference with an ERA of 3.18 and No. 2 in fielding percentage at .963. Nannen is a mainstay as the squad's No. 1 starter, ranking No. 5 in the Big West with a 2.12 ERA, while opponents are batting .245 against her this season.
- The series with the Beach will begin a three-week stretch for the 'Bows, where they will take on the other three teams sitting in the top four spots of the standings. After LBSU, they'll head to No. 1 Cal State Fullerton and come back to wrap up the regular season against No. 4 UC Davis. In 2019, UH went a combined 3-6 against the threesome but took the series from LBSU two games to one.
- In 2019, when UH took the series against LBSU, it was significant as it was the first time the Bows overcame the Beach since rejoining the Big West in 2013. Before 2019 it was 1995 when UH last bested the Beach in a conference series.
FAN CUTOUTS AT RAINBOW WAHINE SOFTBALL STADIUM
The University of Hawai'i Athletics Department is offering fans an opportunity to get a cutout of yourself, a friend, a family member or even your pet which will be placed in an open seat in the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Each cut out will cost $50 and remain in place for all 2021 Rainbow Wahine Softball home games. Proceeds from the cutouts will support University of Hawai'i student-athletes.
IN IT TO WIN IT
University of Hawai'i Athletics and 'Ahahui Koa Ānuenue are inviting fans to "Pledge-per-Win" for the "In It to Win It" fundraising initiative in the 2021 softball season. Although it is currently not possible to attend games, this program provides an alternate way to cheer on the 'Bows while also supporting UH Athletics.
NCAA EXTENDS EXTRA YEAR TO SPRING SPORTS ATHLETES
All returning college players were granted an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic that ended the 2020 season six weeks into the season. All NCAA athletes (D-I, D-II and D-III), and junior college athletes keep their athletic standing from the 2020 season. Thus a freshman in 2020 is a freshman in 2021. A redshirt junior in 2020 stays a redshirt junior in 2021.
Hawai'i has decided to label all athletes as their athletic eligibility rather than advance their eligibility or add on additional confusing language such as "second-year freshman" or "sixth-year junior."
Incoming freshmen are as listed, freshmen.
#HawaiiSB
