LONG BEACH, Calif.—The University of Hawai'i softball team (12-14, 4-4 Big West) split its Friday doubleheader at Long Beach State. Hawai'i dropped a hearbreaker in the first game, as The Beach won on a walk-off RBI-single, 8-7. But the Rainbow Wahine fought back in the second game, as Taryn Irimata fired a one-hit, complete game shutout, while the offense was powered by three home runs—including a grand slam by Milan Ah Yat—in UH's 10-0 mercy rule win at the LBSU Softball Complex.
 
DH Game 1: Long Beaqch State 8, Hawai'i 7
Hawai'i erased.a five-run deficit, scoring six runs in the fifth inning to leapfrog into a 7-6 lead. Only to let the game slip away as the Beach scored two runs in the seventh for the walk-off win, 8-7.
 
In the top of the first, UH had two outs and runners at first and second. Millie Fidge drilled a single through the leftside of the infield to drive in Carys Murakami from second to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Beach responded with a two-run home run by Priscilla Iniguez to see-saw into the lead, 2-1.
 
In the third, the Beach loaded the bases with no outs. Two runs scored on an error off a fly to right. UH's Macy Brandl then came in relief for Hannah Pitts. LBSU got one more run off a sacrifice fly by Kali Su'e as the Beach led, 5-1, but the 'Bows escaped further damage.
 
LBSU's Nina Sepulveda hit an RBI single to score Avery Weisbrook to add an insurance run as the lead grew to 6-1.
 
After the Beach retired 10-straight batters, the Rainbow Wahine erupted in the sixth, scoring six runs to take a 7-6 lead. Keely Kai broke the streak by drawing a walk to start the fifth frame. Kayara Leigh Tuiloma followed with a single to put runners at first and second. After a fly out, Rhea Furtado hit a grounder back to the pitcher. On the play, a throwing error trying to erase Kai going to third allowed Kai to score and both runners advance innto scoring position. Long Beach State then replaced their starting pitcher with Jailynn Banda who walked Murakami to load the bases. Maycen Gibbs  then drew another walk to drive in Tuiloma. LBSU then brought in Pricilla Ramirez to the circle. Jamie McGaughey lifted a sacrifice fly to left to drive home Furtado and then Fidge followed by blastint a three-run bomb to give the 'Bows a 7-6 lead. If marked Fidge's second home run of the season after hitting a grand slam in the series finale against Cal State Fullerton last week. It was her fourth career home run.
  
In the bottom of the serventh, the Beach rallied to tie then win the game on an RBI-triple by Audree Mendoza and and RBI single up the middle by pinch-hitter Elissa Guerrero for the win.

Hawai'i starting pitcher, Pitts, threw the first two-plus innings, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks. Brandl suffered the loss, dropping her record to 2-2 overall. She tossed the final 4.2 innings allowing three runs on six hits with s walk.
 
LBSU starting pitcher Isabella Alonso threw the first 4.1 innings. She allowed four runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout. Jailynn Banda did not record an out in a brief appearance, issuing a pair of walks which led to two runs accounted to her. Pricilla Ramirez earned he first win of the season, throwing 2.2 innings, allowing a run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout.
 
DH Game 2: Hawai'i 5, Long Beach State 0 (5 innings)
UH's Irimata improved to 3-6 overall while earning the complete-game win with her first shut out as a Rainbow Wahine. She gave up five walks with two strikeouts.
 
The 'Bows jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the third inning. UH posted one run in the second on Tuiloma's grounder to first that scored McGaughey from third.  In the third, Hawai'i drilled back-to-back home runs to take a 4-0 lead. Gibbs hit her fourth round-tripper of the season over the leftfield fence to drive in Murakami, while McGaughey followed with her fifth homer of the season to left field to extend UH's lead to 4-0.
 
In the fifth, Hawai'i pulled away, scoring six runs for a 10-0 advantage. Gibbs picked up her third RBI of the game with an RBI single that drove in Cierra Yamamoto. Hawai'i then loaded the bases for Ah Yat who launched her grand slam to deep centerfield, driving in Gibbs, Abby Sasaki, and Fidge. It marked Ah Yat's team-leading sixth homer of the season and her third in four games. It also was UH's third grand slam of the season. Bailey Nagasako capped UH's scoring with an RBI double that scored Tuiloma for the 10-0 lead.
 
Kate Barnett took the loss (0-1) giving up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Lindsey Cowarns tossed the next 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and Jailynn Banda made her second appearance of the day, She allowed four runs on three hits with a walk while getting one out. Audree Lopetegui got the final two outs, but gave up a run on two hits.
 
For Hawai'I, it marked just the second time in school history that UH defeated Long Beach State by the mercy-rule (UH won 11-3 in six innings on March 30, 2019). It is UH's first mercy rule win at LBSU.
 
The two teams will face off in the series' rubber game on Saturday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m. HT at the LBSU Softball Complex.