March 29, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON - Hawaii senior Kate Robinson hit two home runs to lead the 17th ranked Rainbow Wahine to a 4-1 win over Louisiana Tech in the first game of a softball doubleheader at the Lady Techster Softball Complex Saturday.

Robinson then pitched the Rainbow Wahine to a 6-4 win in game two of the day.

In the first game, Robinson hit her 13th and 14th home runs of the season off of Tech starter Krissi Oliver, who entered the game having surrendered only one home run all season.

Robinson hit a solo shot in the top of the third to give Hawaii a 1-0 lead and then blasted a two-run shot in the top of the sixth to give the Rainbow Wahine a 3-1 advantage.

Tech (18-19, 1-4) had numerous opportunities to score but base-running mistakes by the Lady Techsters in three separate innings cost them.

After Hawaii (28-11, 4-1) failed to score in the first, Tech had a great opportunity to plate a run but Danielle Sheridan was thrown out at home on a great throw by Hawaii leftfielder Brandi Peiler after a base hit by Kylie Bassett. The out ended the frame.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Amberly Waits led off with a single but was then picked off first base by the Hawaii catcher Katie Grimes. It would be costly as Regan Clark and Bassett followed with back-to-back doubles to left centerfield scoring only one run and tying the game at 1-1.

After Hawaii plated three runs in the top of the sixth inning, Tech once again had chances to score.

Sheridan led off the bottom of the sixth with a double and Waits followed with an infield single to put runners on first and second with no outs. Clark followed with a double off the Hawaii centerfielder's glove.

However, Waits and Sheridan both ended up on third as Sheridan was forced to hold to see if the ball was caught and Waits overran her forcing Sheridan to try to score. Hawaii easily tagged her out.

Bassett and Oliver were then retired to end the frame without any runs being scored.

Jessica Morton came on in relief and struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh to pick up her third save of the season.

Waits led Tech with three hits, while Clark and Bassett each registered two hits.

Oliver (7-9) picked up the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks.

In game No. 2 of the day, Hawaii capitalized on two Tech errors in the top of the second inning to score four unearned runs off Lady Techster starter Mandi Bertsch.

All four runs came with two outs in the inning and put Tech in an early hole.

Hawaii upped the advantage to 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning scoring two runs on four hits. Freshman Wanda Malone came on in relief of Bertsch and had success over the final 3.2 innings of work.

Tech got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning as Sheridan lined a home run over the rightfield fence to make the score 6-1.

The Lady Techsters were down to their final out in the game when Clark hit her second home run of the season - a three-run shot - over the centerfield fence, closing the gap to 6-4.

However, Robinson retired Bassett on a fly ball to left field to seal the win.

Sheridan, Bassett and Oliver each registered two hits in the game.

Bertsch (6-6) picked up the loss, allowing six runs - only two earned - on seven hits in 3.1 innings of work.

Tech and Hawaii will finish the three-game series Sunday at 3 p.m.