RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (15-19, 8-5 Big West) came from behind to win the series finale at UC Riverside, 4-2 on Saturday at the Amy S. Harrison Field. UH starter
Addison Kostrencich earned her second complete-game win of the weekend as the Rainbow Wahine came through with clutch, timely hitting with runners on base.
Kostrencich allowed two runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout to improve to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in Big West games.
The Highlanders put up two runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. With runners at second and third, a wild pitch allowed Kamryn Davis to score and two batters later, a sacrifice fly by Jackie Allday scored Nadia Witt for a 2-0 lead over UH.
Hawai'i responded by posting a pair of runs in the top of the fourth.
Ka'ena Keliinoi led off the fourth with a flair hit behind second and in front of right. On the play, the second baseman and rightfielder collided allowing Keliinoi to scoot all the way to third base. Concern for the two defensive players who were on the ground for about 10 minutes due to their injuries. When play resumed,
Izabella Martinez grounded out and
Haley Johnson followed by drawing a walk. With runners at the corners, pinch runner at first,
Piper Neri, stole second.
Dallas Millwood then hit a sharp grounder to short that ricocheted into the outfield allowing Keliinoi to score from third but Neri was thrown out at home trying to score from second.
Chloe Borges then picked up her eighth RBI of the series drilling a single that took a bad hop over the shortstop and bounced into centerfield to drive home Millwood from second to tie the score at 2-2.
Madixx Muramoto drilled a single to center to start the fifth inning.
Cierra Yamamoto then executed a sacrifice bunt to third to push Muramoto into scoring position. Xiao Gin then reached on a fielder's choice trying to erase Muramoto at third, but an error left both runners in scoring position. Keliinoi, who went 3-for-3 at the plate on Saturday, followed by driving a single up the middle to score Muramoto from third for the go ahead run. Martinez then lifted a sac fly to the left field foul territory which allowed Gin to score an insurance run for a 4-2 lead.
Kostrencich and the UH defense retired nine-straight batters between the fourth and seventh innings.
The Highlanders tried to mount a two-out rally in the seventh, putting two on base with a hit and an error. But first baseman Millwood snared a line drive to end the game and secure the series win.
UCR starter Briza Blanco threw the first four innings allowing two runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout. Maddie Heinlin (4-9) suffered the loss tossing the final three innings. She allowed two runs on two hits with a strikeout.
Hawai'i returns home to host a three-game series vs. Cal State Bakersfield this coming week. A single game will be played on Friday, April 19
th at 6:00 p.m. HT followed by a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m. HT. All games will be played at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
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