HONOLULU – Behind a pair of standout pitching performances and an explosive offensive attack, the University of Hawai'i softball team (25-18, 17-6 Big West) swept a doubleheader against Cal Poly on Friday. Hawai'i won both games by the score of 8-0 in a pair of mercy rule victories at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. UH's starting pitchers --
Taryn Irimata and Maryn MacNeil combined to allow just two hits over 11 total innings against the Mustangs in the doubleheader.
GAME 1: Hawai'i 8, Cal Poly 0 (6 innings)
Sophomore starter Irimata improved to 11-7 overall after earning her fourth shutout in her last five starts. She was nearly perfect in the opener, tossing a complete-game, one-hitter. Cal Poly's only hit came in the fourth inning on a single by Maya Venegas. Irimata faced just one batter over the minimum while striking out two and allowing no walks.
The Rainbow Wahine offense provided immediate support, scoring two runs in the first inning on RBI singles from Millie Fidge and
Carys Murakami.
Briana Maio-Silva extended the lead in the third with a two-run home run to right-center field.
Both Murakami and Fidge recorded career-highs, racking up three hits apiece. Murakami led UH's offensive charge at the plate, finishing with two doubles and three RBI, while
Cierra Yamamoto and
Ellyanna Cinzori each contributed RBI singles to seal the walkoff victory in the sixth as Cinzori scored
Abby Sasaki to end the game, 8-0.
GAME 2: Hawai'i 8, Cal Poly 0 (5 innings)
The second game of the doubleheader followed a similar script as freshman pitcher MacNeil (1-1) got her first collegiate start and earned her first win of the season, tossing a one-hit shutout. She, like Irimata, faced just one batter over the minimum, allowing one walk in her strongest appearance of the season.
Hawai'i's bats wasted no time, fueled by a four-run third inning.
Milan Ah Yat provided the highlight of the frame with a solo home run to center field, while Yamamoto delivered a bases-clearing three-run double to break the game open.
The Rainbow Wahine will host its final home game of the season on Saturday, April 25 at 11:00 a.m. HT at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Following the game, the 'Bows will honor their seven seniors—Ellyanna Cinzori, Millie Fidge, Maycen Gibbs, Larissa Goshi, Carys Murakami, Hannah Pitts, and Cierra Yamamoto.
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