RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i softball team fell to Utah State 5-1 in its opening game at the CBC Classic hosted by Cal Baptist on Saturday morning in Riverside, Calif.

The Rainbow Wahine fell to 4-2 while Utah State improved to 6-2. 

The game was scoreless through the first two innings and UH starter Taryn Irimata was cruising along retiring eight of the first nine batters. But with two outs in the third, a fielding error seemed to open the floodgates for the Aggies, as they  loaded the bases twice and scored five unearned runs. With the bases loaded. Alex Bunton cleared the bases with a double to the left-center gap. Three batters later, Grace Matej drove in two more runs on a double to right to extend their lead to 5-0.  Hawai'i pitcher Hannah Pitts then came in relief of Irimata and got the third out on a strikeout swinging.
  
With two outs in the sixth, UH infielder Carys Murakami hit a single up the middle. Pinch hitter Millie Fidge then ripped a triple to the left-centerfield gap to drive in Murakami from first to chip away at the Aggies lead, 5-1.
 
Irimata allowed five unearned runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 2-2/3 innings pitched. Pitts shutout the Aggies for the final 4-1/3 innings in relief. She scattered seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
 
The Rainbow Wahine have a quick turnaround as they battle Utah State in a rematch on Sunday, Feb. 15th at 12:45 p.m. HT followed by a game against Loyola Marymount at 3 p.m. HT at the John C. Funk Stadium in Riverside, Calif.