Boxscore I Boxscore II

RUSTON - The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine combined for 28 hits to sweep the Lady Techsters 7-1 and 14-4 in a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday at the Lady Techsters Softball Complex.

Behind the strength of three homeruns, Hawaii (16-13, 2-0 WAC) won the first game, as pitcher Justine Smethurst held the Lady Techsters (7-16, 0-2 WAC) to six hits and one unearned run in the complete game victory.

In the second game, Hawaii exploded for nine runs in the first inning to cruise to the 14-4 victory.

"Coming into the game, we knew Hawaii would have a strong offensive team and we would have to play good defense," said Techster head coach Sarah Dawson. "We gave up a lot of hits, but when each pitcher exhibited their individual strengths, at times we were successful."

Regan Clark, Christine Echols and Jessica Elson contributed two hits each in game one. Elson drove in Tech's only run of the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Kristin Rupp was credited with the loss after allowing four earned runs on eight hits in 3.0 innings of work.

"In the first game, we left too many players in scoring position, and we didn't take advantage of our opportunities. We had several scattered hits, but not enough strung together," Dawson said.

In the second game, Tech fell behind 9-0 in the top of the first inning. The Techsters tried to answer back by scoring two runs in the first, and one in both the second and fourth innings, but came up short.

Emma Barnes, Rochelle Sandberg, Clark, Ashley Cameron, Sandy Carroll and Andrea Gardner all had one hit in the second game. Both Clark and Cameron contributed one homerun.

Krissi Oliver (2-6) picked up the loss after 0.2 innings of work, allowing nine runs on nine hits and issuing one walk.

Tech returns to action at 2 p.m. Sunday for the final game of the series.