The University of Hawai’i softball team split its doubleheader at the CBU Classic held at Cal Baptist’s John C. Funk Stadium in Riverside, California. In their first game on Sunday, Hawai’i secured a 16-8 victory over Utah State in six innings, but fell to Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 6-0 in the second game.
Against Utah State, Hawai’i led 13-4 entering the fifth inning and was close to ending the game early under run-rule conditions. However, Utah State managed a two-out rally for four runs to keep the contest going. The Rainbow Wahine responded with three more runs in the sixth inning to seal the win. Nine different players recorded at least one hit, with six notching two hits each—including all top four batters in the lineup. Ten players scored at least once.
Pitcher Macy Brandl earned her first win of the season for Hawai’i after throwing 4-1/3 innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits. She walked three and struck out one batter. Millie Fidge came in as relief during a challenging fifth inning but gave up one run before Taryn Irimata closed out the final 1-1/3 innings without further damage.
Utah State initially took an early lead with an RBI double by Grace Matej in the second inning, but Hawai’i responded by sending nine runners home—most notably with Kayara-Leigh Tuiloma’s two-RBI single and Maycen Gibbs’ second home run of the season.
Utah State used six pitchers during the match, with Emmalyn Brinka taking the loss after giving up eight runs over less than two innings.
In their following matchup against LMU, Hawai’i was shut out for the first time this season. Irimata started again for UH but allowed all six runs over four innings before being relieved by Hannah Pitts, who kept LMU scoreless through two frames.
Lindsay O’Dell earned her sixth win of the season for LMU by retiring ten consecutive batters and allowing only one hit across nearly four innings pitched. Angela Carrera started for LMU and surrendered just two hits through her outing.
Carys Murakami led UH offensively against LMU by going 2-for-3; however, as a team they were limited to three total hits and struggled to advance runners past second base.
The Rainbow Wahine will conclude their participation at the CBU Classic facing host Cal Baptist on Tuesday afternoon instead of Monday due to anticipated inclement weather.
