(Photo Courtesy of Hawaii Athletics)
LAS VEGAS, Nev.—The University of Hawai`i softball team (4-2, 0-0 Big West) came back from being five runs down after the first inning to go on to defeat UTEP, 10-5 in the opening game of the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. Freshman pitcher Heather Morales improved her record to 4-1 firing her third complete game of the season. Hawai`i’s offense was led by Alyssa Villalpando who went 2-for-4 with a home run in her first start of the season. Sharla Kliebenstein also went 2-for-4, Morales was 2-for-3 and Leisha Li`ili`i hit a solo home run with three walks.
The Rainbow Wahine got off to a rough start, allowing the Miners to jump out to a quick 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. UTEP’s first two batters reached on singles and a throwing error on the pitcher allowing Samantha Avillar to score from second. After a strike out and a walk, Ashley Eldridge then lifted a grand slam over the right-centerfield fence.
But, Hawai`i would answer right back, scoring five runs of its own in the top of the second. Sharla Kliebenstein ripped a double to left-centerfield to drive in both Kiani Wong and Kristina Akiona. Later, Alyssa Villalpando launched her first home run of the season, a three-run bomb to centerfield to knot the score 5-5.
In the top of the third, Li`ili`i drilled an opposite-field home run over the left-centerfield fence to give UH a 6-5 lead. For Li`ili`i, it was her third home run of the season.
Hawai`i extended their lead to 10-5 in the top of the fourth. Jazmine Zamora drove in the first run on a ground out to short that pushed Kliebenstein across the plate. Kayla Wartner and Keiki Carlos then followed with back-to-back singles. Carlos’ hit drove in Villalpando from third for UH’s second run in the innings. Later, Morales helped herself out by drilling a two-run single down the leftfield line to give UH a 10-5 lead after three-and-a-half innings.
UH’s defense then held the Miners off the scoreboard for the rest of the game. Morales fired all seven innings, giving up five runs on six hits with a walk and four strike outs.
Kaitlin Fifield (0-1) suffered the loss, throwing the first two innings. She gave up six runs on five hits with two walks and a strik out. Danielle Pearson fired four innings, allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and three strike outs. Taylor Grohmann closed the game, throwing the final inning.
