Quick exit for Wahine after
two easy victories
Staff and wire reports
LOS ANGELES - Talk about quick getaways.
Playing at Loyola Marymount under the flight path of Los Angeles International
Airport yesterday morning, the University of Hawaii women's softball team
was constantly reminded of its impending flight that afternoon.
The 19th-ranked Wahine got to the airport with plenty of time to spare,
blasting a combined 26 hits in disposing of the Lions in two nonconference,
10-run rule shortened games at the LMU Softball Field.
Freshman right-hander Stephanie Wiese scattered four hits in shutting out
the Lions, 10-0, in the opener that went six innings. In the second game
that was called after five innings, sophomore right-hander Jill Jameson
limited Loyola Marymount to three hits in a 12-1 rout.
"They were quick wins," said UH coach Bob Coolen, whose team improved
to 26-15 overall. "The team came out, played real loose. The pitching
was on and the hitting was unbelievable.
"We had been told that Loyola could really hit the ball. They had lost
to Long Beach State, 2-0 twice. But they came out flat against us."
Wiese (8-4) helped her own cause in the first game, driving in four runs
with her first two homers of the season. Richlyn Tada added a two-run single
and Kehau Cofran had an RBI single to help Hawaii end a three-game skid.
Tia Morenz drove in three runs in the second game with a 4-for-4 performance.
Chris Viernes hit a towering solo homer, her first of the season, to highlight
the Wahine's 14-hit attack.
Hawaii also benefited from LMU's 11 errors in the two games.
"It was a good trip for us," said Coolen, whose team went 3-3
during the week.
"Of course, you'd rather come back 5-1. But anytime you can come back
home at .500 or better, you have to happy.
"We had some serious questions going on the road, but we got some kids
playing a position we needed, positions that we needed to get them ready
to play for the Fullerton series."
Hawaii returns to Big West action this week with two doubleheaders against
No. 5 Cal State Fullerton. Thursday's doubleheader begins at 5 p.m. with
Saturday's twin bill starting at 2 p.m.
First game
Six innings, 10-run rule
Hawaii 310 024 - 10 12 0
Loyola Marymount 000 000 - 0 4 5
Stephanie Wiese and Tia Morenz; Jenny Chambers, Brooke Holliday (4) and
Meredith Butler. W-Wiese (8-4). L-Chambers (11-8).
Leading hitters-UH: Stephanie Wiese, 2-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs; Tia Morenz,
2-4; Kehau Cofran, 2-4, RBI; Richlyn Tada, 2 RBIs; Kara Gustine, 2-3, 2
2b.
Second game
Five innings, 10-run rule
Hawaii 243 12 - 12 14 0
Loyola Marymount 000 10 - 1 3 6
Jill Jameson and Aiko Okamura; Kim Quells, Carla Workman (3) and Erin McGuire.
W-Jameson (4-4). L-Quells (12-10).
Leading hitters-UH: Tia Morenz, 4-4, 3 RBIs; Heather Williams, 2-3,
RBI; Chris Viernes, 2-4, solo HR; Regina Kaaihili, 2-3, RBI; Heather Richard,
RBI; Julie Luft, RBI; Stephanie Wiese, RBI. LMU: Christine Arguijo,
2b; Stephanie Sandell, RBI.