HONOLULU— The University of Hawai'i softball team closed out its series with UC San Diego by splitting the second doubleheader of the series on Saturday at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
The Rainbow Wahine (6-7, 5-4) dropped the first game 5-1, and as a result, came up short in their first series with a conference opponent this season. Only the first of the two games counted towards the team's conference record. As a whole, UH split the series with UCSD 2-2, taking the matchup 8-1. The Tritons (7-8, 4-2) have now won back-to-back conference series after knocking off UC Santa Barbara last weekend at home.
UH will go back on the road for the second time this season with a four-game series at Cal Poly beginning on Friday, April 9th.
Game 1
The first game of the evening started with a burst of offense as UCSD used a two-run home run by first baseman Sherriah Harrington to gain the upper hand. UH answered as junior shortstop
Nawai Kaupe drove in Angelique "Cheek" Ramos with a single to left field for her team-leading 10th run batted in on the season.
Over the next six innings, the 'Bows and Tritons were in the middle of a pitcher's duel as freshman
Jetta Nannen and Robyn Wampler were locked in throwing scoreless innings from the second inning to the seventh.
UH threatened in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with no outs on three consecutive singles. UCSD turned to the bullpen and brought Gabby Williams in to stall the threat. Freshman right fielder
Maya Nakamura sent a rocket up the middle, striking Williams in the process. As the ball hit off Williams' shoulder, it was caught on the fly by shortstop Sophia Real, and she threw on to first base, doubling up the runner. During the confusion of the injury to the pitcher, a UH runner crossed the plate and entered the dugout. Following Williams being attended to by the medical staff, the umpiring crew called a triple play, calling the run who entered the dugout out, ending the UH threat.
The Tritons capitalized in the seventh, adding two runs, jumping out to a 4-1 lead for the eventual final.
Kaupe and Ramos led the offense as each went 2-for-3, expanding Ramos' team-high batting average to .306. Nannen dropped her record to 2-3 with the loss, as she allowed four earned runs and struck out three in her complete-game effort.
Game 2
Senior pitcher
Emily Klee stepped up in a big way as she picked up her first win of the season, helping the 'Bows split the second doubleheader in as many days with the Tritons.
The Placentia, California native pitched five and a third innings, allowing only three hits, one earned run and forced 10 ground ball outs. She kept UCSD in check throughout the evening, letting her defense take care of business, capped off by two defensive gems by Nakamura at second base.
While UCSD jumped ahead in the third inning for a run on a solo home run by catcher Kinley Kyro, the 'Bows put up a two-spot in the bottom of the inning led by Kaupe driving in freshman catcher
Ka'ena Keliinoi on a double to left-center. Nakamura followed suit with a single to knock in Kaupe for the 2-1 lead.
The 'Bows added three more the following frame as Keliinoi drove in freshman utility player
Mackenzie La Neve with a bases-loaded single. Ramos played add-on one batter later with a two-run single, scoring senior left fielder
Bree Soma and junior center fielder
Brittnee Rossi.
As UH led 5-1, Ramos, Kaupe, and Nakamura tacked on some insurance as each drove in a run to extend the lead to 8-1.
Ramos, Kaupe, Nakamura, and Keliinoi each tallied multi-hit games and combined for four extra-base hits. Ramos led the pack in run production, driving in three, giving her eight RBIs on the year.
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