Usually just one team wins its final game of the season, so most teams close out the schedule on a down note. It wasn’t what the Rainbow Wahine were expecting or hoping, but their down note was played Sunday in
Usually just one team wins its final game of the season, so most teams close out the schedule on a down note. It wasn’t what the Rainbow Wahine were expecting or hoping, but their down note was played Sunday in the NCAA Softball Tournament Regionals.
A 3-0 loss to Washington in Seattle marked the end of a 45-13 season for Hawaii, as well as the final appearance for senior shortstop Jessica Iwata. As a former Kauai High standout, Iwata’s abilities illuminated at Manoa and allowed her to disembark on one of the program’s greatest careers.
With all the at-bats behind her and no more ground balls to pick cleanly, Iwata finishes with a .360 career average to go with 55 home runs, a program-record 197 RBIs, 177 runs scored and 46 doubles — second all-time only to teammate Kelly Majam. She also stole 16 bases on 19 attempts and finished out her four-year career with by far her best defensive display, committing just six errors for a .963 fielding percentage this season.
In addition to the individual accolades, UH won 176 games in the past four years, compared to just 56 losses. They brought us along with them on that magical run in 2010, topping No. 1 seed Alabama in the Tuscaloosa, Ala. Super Regional to reach the Women’s College World Series.
The five graduating seniors, including Iwata, Majam and starting pitcher Kaia Parnaby, not only helped maintain the high standards and expectations UH had through its Western Athletic Conference existence, but set the course to propel the Wahine into uncharted territory by winning its first Big West championship during this inaugural season.
Iwata leaves with her name etched throughout the school’s record book, accounting for one of eight .400 seasons in program history (.400; 2012), the single-season doubles record (21; 2010) and the only UH player to twice hit three home runs in a single game. Her individual success was both reliable and necessary, typically a barometer for the team’s hopes. She went 5 for 6 with two RBIs in the team’s two wins at Regionals, but 0 for 4 with a walk in the two losses.
Despite the despair that injects itself into the final game for every team but one, Iwata and the Wahine have created far more excitement and memories during the past four seasons than any single loss could erase. It’s been a great collegiate career for one of Kauai’s recent stars.
• ‘My Thoughts Exactly’ appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Garden Island. Email David Simon your comments or questions to dsimon@thegardenisland.com. Follow David on Twitter @SimonTGI
The Garden Island would like to write profile features on all 2013 graduating seniors who are planning to play a sport for their college or university. Any parents, aunties or uncles who just watched a loved one receive their diploma from Waimea, Kapaa, Kauai, Island School or even Kamehameha, please send an email to dsimon@thegardenisland.com and sports@thegardenisland.com with some brief information on the graduate and the best way to get in touch with them. Let’s continue to ensure these young Kauai athletes have our support at the next level.
