RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (9-2) held off Cal Baptist, 2-1 on Wednesday night at the John C. Funk Softball Stadium. Senior starter Addison Kostrencich picked up the win to improve to 4-2, while reliever Macy Brandl earned her first save of the season.
 
Kostrencich threw six-plus innings, allowing one run on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts to lower her season ERA to 2.24. Brandl came into the game with a runner on and was able to get all three outs in the bottom of the seventh.
 
UH scored both of its runs in the top of the fourth. Maycen Gibbs, who was making her season debut, starting things off with a one-out single up the middle. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and Liliana Thomas followed by drilling an opposite-field double to the right-centerfield gap to drive in Gibbs. Later with two outs, Jamie McGaugheyu drove an RBI-single up the middle to score Thomas from third to give the 'Bows a 2-0 lead.
 

T4-Thomas' RBI-double drives in Gibbs from second for game's first run.
UH leads, 1-0 pic.twitter.com/62OfVUkGD2

— Hawaii Softball (@HawaiiSB) February 20, 2025

The Lancers' Kelena Burns led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run over the centerfield fence. Cal Baptist's Ashlee Annett followed with a single up the middle. UH's Brandl then entered the game and got the next three batters out on a sacrifice bunt to third, a pop out to the pitcher and a fly out to right to end the game. Gibbs made her second highlight-reel, diving catch running towards the first base line to end the game.
 

#HawaiiSB WINS!
UH holds off Cal Baptist , 2-1 in their first ever meeting.
Gibbs' second diving catch of the game seals the win!
WP: Kostrencich
Save: Brandl
LP: Hollingsworth pic.twitter.com/jdRY60SGm2

— Hawaii Softball (@HawaiiSB) February 20, 2025

Cal Baptist's Annika Hollingsworth (2-3) took the loss tossing the first six innings, allowing two runs on four walks and seven strikeouts. Reliever Morgan McConnel did not allow a run in the final inning, allowing one hit.

With the win, Hawai'i improved to 9-2 for its best start since 2019 when the team started 9-2.

It marked the first time that Hawai'i and Cal Baptist have played each other. Last year the two teams were rained out. 

The Rainbow Wahine head west to compete in the 2025 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. at the Big League Dreams complex. Hawai'i will take on BYU, Nevada, Saint Mary's, Loyola Marymount, and San Diego State.