HONOLULU-- The University of Hawai'i softball team returns to action with a four-game series at Cal Poly, beginning on Friday with a doubleheader at Bob Janssen Field.
HEAD COACH BOB COOLEN
Overall record: 1,091-729-1 (35th season)
At Hawai'i: 1,021-633-1 (30th season)
SERIES VS CAL POLY
Overall record: 16-9, UH
Streak: W6
Last Hawaii win against Cal Poly : 12-0, Apr. 6, 2019
FIRST PITCH
- The Rainbow Wahine are coming off a series split with UC San Diego at 2-2, with UH winning the first and last game of the four-game home swing. With the Tritons winning games two and three, both counting as conference games, UCSD technically took the series in terms of Big West play. Marking it the first series loss to a conference opponent for UH.
- As a result of the series with UCSD, UH sits in a tie of the conference standings with UC Santa Barbara at No. 4 with a .556 conference win percentage.
- In the matchup with the Tritons, senior third baseman Angelique "Cheeks" Ramos swung a hot bat, collecting eight hits, four extra-base hits, and four runs batted in. She currently leads the team with a .325 batting average and is third on the squad in slugging percentage at .525.
- Junior shortstop Nawai Kaupe is starting to find her groove at the plate, leading the team in runs batted in (12), total bases (23), and home runs (3). While she started the series with the Tritons 0-for-7, she finished by going 4-for-6, including a triple and a double. Kaupe currently leads the team with a .605 slugging percentage.
- Junior centerfielder Brittnee Rossi aims to be the next top of the order threat for the 'Bows as she leads the team with a .447 on-base percentage, setting the table for Ramos and Kaupe in the heart of the lineup. Rossi leads the team in runs scored with 11 and tied for No. 7 in the conference with eight against conference opponents.
- The one-two punch of pitchers junior Ashley Murphy and Jetta Nannen provides UH with the chance to win in every game. Nannen is ranked No. 7 in earned run average against conference opponents at 2.39, while Murphy is No. 10 at 3.85.
- A reliable third arm had the chance to emerge against UCSD as senior Emily Klee had a spot start in game four. Klee threw five and a third innings while giving up one earned run and allowing three hits.
- The all-time series between the 'Bows and Mustangs' is beginning to lean heavily in favor of UH. Entering the series, the 'Bows holds a six-game win streak, giving them the series lead at 16-9.
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
