HONOLULU—University of Hawai'i softball newcomer Addison Kostrencih fired a complete game, two-hit shutout to earn her first win in her debut donning the Green and White to defeat Kansas City, 5-0. UH's first win of the season was highlighted by senior
Mya'Liah Bethea blasting her first home run of 2024 on night No. 2 of the Bank of Hawai'i Paradise Classic at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Friday.
Kostrencich, a junior transfer, allowed two walks while fanning six Roos—including three-straight to retire the side in the second--in seven innings of work.
On offense, timely hitting and hustle sparked the 'Bows. In the third,
Maycen Gibbs,
Izabella Martinez and
Haley Johnson all flew down the line for infield singles which helped the 'Bows rally for two runs. Gibbs led off the frame by legging out a single to short. She advanced to third on two groundouts. Thenk with two outs and Gibbs at third, Martinez chopped a grounder to the shortstop in the hole. Martinez raced down the line to beat out the throw at first which allowed Gibbs score.
Haley Johnson followed beating out the throw from third. Xiao Gin then reached on a fielding error to short that gave Martinez a chance to score from second for the 2-0 lead.
In the third, Bethea, who led the Big West in home runs last season, launched an opposite-field shot that sailed over the rightfield wall. The senior's 15
th career homer gave UH a 3-0 lead after four complete innings.
Although UH struck out twice to begin the sixth, Gibbs started UH's rally on two outs with her career-best third hit of the game and the 'Bows went on the load the bases. Martinez then smacked a hard-hit single through the left side of the infield to drive in both Gibbs and Nakamura to extend their lead to 5-0.
Kansas City starter Camryn Stickel suffered the loss in a complete game effort. She allowed five runs on nine hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
The Bank of Hawai'i Paradise Classic continues on Saturday with four games capped by a UH doubleheader against BYU at 3:30 p.m. HT and Ole Miss at 6:00 p.m. HT. at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
