NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (20-10, 3-1 Big West) batted around the order, scoring 10 runs in the first en route to a 12-3, five inning win over CSUN (10-14, 2-2 BW). Hawai'i's Haley Johnson's first career grand slam highlighted the opening frame on Friday afternoon at the Matador Diamond in Northridge, Calif.
 
Brianna Lopez earned the win to improve to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in conference. She tossed the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. She allowed three runs on three hits with two strikeouts and three walks in three-plus innings of work. Millie Fidge came in relief to close the game, firing the final two innings. She allowed two hits with a walk and a strikeout to end the game.
  The 'Bows started the game on fire, batting around the order and scoring 10 runs in the top of the first. Hawai'i loaded the bases on two walks and a fielder's choice with no outs. Haley Johnson then launched a grand slam to left-centerfield marking her third homer of the season, her sixth of her career and first career grand slam. It brought her team-leading RBI total to 27 on the season. It was the first grand slam since Mya'Liah Bethea hit one last season against Cal State Fullerton (5/7/2022). With runners at first and second and one out, Cira Bartolotti drilled a single to left to drive in Bethea from second, chasing CSUN starter Isabella Alonso as reliever Allie Gardiner came into the game. Hawai'i went on to load the bases again and this time it was Maya Nakamura who smacked a bases clearing double to left-center. Johnson then picked up her fifth RBI of the inning with a single up the middle to score Nakamura, extending UH's lead to 10-0. The 10 runs scored in a single inning was the most since scoring 10 against Utah Valley on Feb. 13, 2015. It was the first time that UH has tagged a team with double-digit runs in the first inning since 2013.
  CSUN's Gardiner ended the first inning and went on to retire seven-straight UH batters. In the fourth, CSUN brought in Riley Wickum to close the game. UH was able to add another run as Rachel Sabourin came through with a bases loaded RBI single up the middle to drive in pinch-runner Piper Neri extending UH's lead to 11-0.
 
In the bottom of the fourth though, CSUN was able to post three runs on three bases loaded walks by UH pitchers Lopez and reliever Fidge. But a 6-4-3 ground out double play ended the inning preserving an 11-3 lead.
 
Hawai'i added another run in the fifth as back-to-back fielding errors allowed Martinez to reach safely and Nakamura to score from second on two outs.
 
CSUN's Alonso (4-2) suffered the loss, lasting just a third of the first inning. She allowed seven runs on two hits with three walks. Gardiner threw the next 2-2/3 innings, allowing three runs on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts and Wickum closed the game giving up two runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
 
The two teams will conclude their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25, 2023. First pitch is schedule for 10:00 a.m. HT.