LIHU‘E — Just another day at the park for the University of Hawai‘i softball team, which swept its Saturday doubleheader over the University of Nevada, picking up two five-inning, mercy-rule victories at Hixson Park in Reno, Nev. The ‘Bows (39-11,
LIHU‘E — Just another day at the park for the University of Hawai‘i softball team, which swept its Saturday doubleheader over the University of Nevada, picking up two five-inning, mercy-rule victories at Hixson Park in Reno, Nev.
The ‘Bows (39-11, 17-0 WAC) remain unbeaten atop the WAC standings, winning the first game 20-0 and the second, 11-2.
Kaua‘i’s Jessica Iwata, shortstop, continued her spectacular freshman season, going 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs in the first game, then 2 for 3 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI in the second game.
Iwata’s homer was her 15th of the season as she is now leading the team with a .404 batting average, adding 20 doubles, 48 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while slugging .834.
Fellow freshman Kelly Majam continued her record-setting season with her 25th home run. Majam is hitting .403 for the season and slugging .975.
Pitcher Stephanie Ricketts was unhittable in the opening game, firing her first career perfect game. Ricketts (20-6, 11-0) set down all 15 batters she faced, striking out two. She became just the third pitcher in UH history to win at least 20 games twice.
Kaia Parnaby followed up her Friday night win with another in the second game. Parnaby (18-5, 6-0 WAC) notched her 17th complete game of the season.
The Rainbow Wahine will now head home as Fresno State (33-14, 12-3 WAC), the conference’s second-place team, comes to Honolulu for three games, Friday and Saturday.
That is the Wahine’s final series of the season before the WAC Championship Tournament, May 12-15 in Las Cruces, N.M.
