LAS VEGAS, Nev.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (0-4, 0-0 BWC) dropped both its games on Saturday at the Rebel Kickoff tourney in Las Vegas, Nev.. But it wasn't for lack of effort. UH fell to BYU 4-1 in the morning game. The Rainbow Wahine then overcame a four run deficit and later took a five run lead into the bottom of the seventh. But UNLV came through in the clutch to escape Hawai'i and remain undefeated with an eight inning, 12-11 win.
 
BYU 4, Hawai'i 1
The Cougars (4-1, 0-0 WCC) posted two runs on the scoreboard to start the game on a two-run double by Martha Epenesa. Later, BYU's Marissa Chavez added a run in the top of third, scoring on an RBI groundout by Huntyr Ava to extend their lead to 3-0.
 
After BYU's Moffat-Korth retired eight-straight batters, UH had its best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth. Gandia-Mak picked up her second hit of the game and Maya Nakamura reached on an error. But BYU got a strikeout and then a pop-out, double-play to deny any damage.
 
Hawai'i had its first clean inning retiring the Cougars in order on defense in the top of the fifth. The 'Bows responded by rallying with two outs to scratch out their only run. Nawai Kaupe came through with a single through the leftside of the infield to drive in pinch-runner Cira Bartolotti. BYU then intentionally walked Mikaela Gandia-Mak to load the bases. The strategy worked as the inning ended on an unassisted force out at third.
 
BYU got the run right back as Ava led off with a solo homer in the top of the sixth.
 
BYU starting pitcher Autumn Moffat-Korth (1-1) threw a complete game, allowing just one run on six hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings.
 
UH freshman starter Brianna Lopez (0-2) gave up four runs on five hits in 5-2/3 innings of work. She had two walks while fanning four. Senior reliever Ashley Murphy did not give up a run in 1-1/3 innings with two walks and a strikeout.
 
 
UNLV 12, UH 11 (8 innings)
The Rainbow Wahine overcame a four run deficit through four innings, and later built a five run lead going into the bottom of the seventh. In the last three innings, UH and UNLV (5-0, 0-0 MWC) traded blows as big momentum swings see-sawed back and forth. But the Rebel came back to score five runs to force an extra inning. UNLV found themselves down a run going into the home half of the eighth, and they came through with two runs to edge out Hawai'i, 12-11 win.
 
The Rebels struck first, posting a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. UNLV's Alyssa Trejo hit an RBI-triple and later scored on a wild pitch. In the fourth, UNLV extended its lead to 4-0 on a two run home run by Ariana Martinez.
 
In the fifth, Brittnee Rossi led off with a single and Izabella Martinez was walked to put two runners on base. Nawai Kaupe then blasted a three-run home run to energize Hawai'i. It marked her second home run of the tournament.
 
Dallas Millwood propelled the 'Bows past the Rebels with a two-run bomb in the sixth to give the Rainbow Wahine a 5-4 lead.
 
UNLV knotted the score at 5-5 on an RBI-single by Janyssa Martin that drove in Sofia Morales.
 
The top of the seventh was a crazy inning with both teams erupting for five runs each. Hawai'i went up 10-5, but the lead was short lived. UH got three consecutive singles to start the inning. Maya Nakamura then drove a two-run single to right to score both Rachel Sabourin and Kaupe. Next up, Millwood drove in Gandia-Mak with a hit up the middle. UH capped its scoring barrage with Nakamura crossing the plate on a passed ball, and on the same play Rossi scored on a throwing error on the catcher.
 
The Rebels were far from done. On two outs, they rallied with four hits in the frame, including two RBI singles. But the big blow was a three-run home run that tied the game at 10-10.
 
With the international tie-breaker rules in place, Hawai'i was able to go ahead, 11-10 on an sacrifice fly by Kaupe to drive in Mya'Liah Bethea.
 
UNLV answered right back. They rallied with four hits in the bottom of the eighth, including a pair of RBI singles that ended the game with the Rebels prevailing, 12-11.
 
Hawai'i's freshman pitcher Chloe Borges threw a complete game (7-1/3 innings) in the loss. She gave up 12 runs on 12 hits with five walks and two strikeouts. She suffered the loss dropping her record to 0-2.
 
UNLV's Jasmine Martin threw the first six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Alanna Thiede threw one inning in relief, giving up five runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout while facing nine batters. Jenny Bressler finished the game and earned the win to improve to 3-0 in relief. In one inning, she gave up one run on two hits.
 
In Saturday's two games, UH out-hit both BYU and UNLV in their losses. Gandia-Mak and Kaupe both moved up in the lineup to start the day. The hot-hitting Gandia-Mak went 5-8 on Saturday with a double and a run scored. Through four games, she is 7-for 13 and hitting .538 to lead UH. Kaupe has provided the power. On Saturday, she went 4-for-9 with a home run, five RBI and two runs scored.
 
Up next, the Rainbow Wahine will conclude the Rebel Kickoff in a non-conference game against CSU Bakersfield on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. HT.