HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (5-1) rallied to erase an early five-run deficit to defeating Western Illinois, 11-5 in UH's opener of the Spring Fling Tournament.
Izabella Martinez recorded a career best 4-for-4 performance at the plate and tied her career-high scoring two runs while fellow senior
Chloe Borges blasted a grand slam that propelled UH into the lead over the Leathernecks on Thursday night at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
Sophomore starter
Macy Brandl got off to a rough start, giving up five runs on three home runs in the first three innings, but she persevered, earning the complete game win to improve to 3-0. She allowed five runs on 10 hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
Western Illinois' starter Lillie Wools kept UH off balance to start the game, blanking the 'Bows through the first three innings. In contrast, the Leathernecks jumped out to a 5-0 lead fueled by two home runs by Payton Brown and a solo home run by Ruby Tarr,
Hawai'i got one run back in the fourth off a
Milan Ah Yat ground out that scored pinch runner
Keely Kai from third.
WIU got two quick outs to start the fifth, but Hawai'i then rallied for five runs Martinez and
Kolbi Kochi started things with back-to-back singles. A passed ball pushed both runners into scoring position for
Liliana Thomas who hit a single up the middle to drive in Martinez. A walk to
Jamie McGaughey loaded the bases for the 'Bows. Western Illinois then brought in reliever Libby Spaulding to pitch to
Chloe Borges. Borges then blasted a grand slam to center to overtake the Leathernecks, 6-5.It marked Borges first home run of the season and 12
th of her career.
Hawai'i extended its lead in the sixth by scoring five runs. With two runners on, Kochi drilled a triple down the rightfield line to drive in both Kayara Tuiloma and Martinez. Thomas then lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Kochi from third. Later, Carys Murami drew a bases loaded walk to score McGaughey. With the bases still loaded
Sunni Kahanu hit a blooper fielder's choice that scored Borges from third to cap UH's scoring at 11-5.
WIU's Woods threw the first 4-2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Spaulding was able to get one out, but allowed what proved to be the winning run on two hits with a walk. Kaitlyn Green tossed the final frame, allowing five runs on two hits with four walks.
The Spring Fling Tournament continues with four games on Friday. UH will face Utahh Tech in the final game of the day at 6:00 p.m.
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