WAHINE SOFTBALL

Wahine prepare for
postseason

By Dave Reardon
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Between games of Saturday's regular season-ending doubleheader sweep of UNLV, the Hawaii softball team honored its five Western Athletic Conference Players of the Week.

But the Wahine weren't done. Yesterday the conference announced that for her performance against the Rebels, third baseman Melissa McGie joined outfielder Tia Morenz, second baseman Regina Ka'aihili, and pitchers Kelly Gentle, Janelle Gonzales and Desiree Duran. McGie batted .727 with two homers and seven RBIs in the four Hawaii wins Friday and Saturday.

"Other people could've got it at times during the season, too," McGie said. "Joyce (Lum), Dana (Degan), Kehau (Cofran) all could've gotten them."

Now, after completing the regular season at 45-13 overall and ranked No. 12 in the nation, the Wahine must wait until Sunday to find out to which of eight sites they will go for NCAA regional play.

"Nobody knows yet even where the sites are," Hawaii coach Bob Coolen said. "The bids have just gone in."

Hawaii, which is 28-2 at home, might have been one of the schools submitting a bid if not for sight-line problems affecting most of the seats in its new stadium.

But Coolen is confident the Wahine can win on the road, although they were only 9-7 in non-neutral away games. He said the team compares favorably with his 1995 group, the last Hawaii softball squad to advance to postseason.

"I'd definitely say we're a lot more balanced," Coolen said. "We're a little quicker defensively at certain positions. And we don't have just one pitcher we really feel confident about. When we went to South Carolina (in 1995) it was basically Brooke Wilkins against the world."

With Gentle, Gonzales, and Duran, Hawaii has three solid pitchers, a huge advantage in tournament play.

"Having three good pitchers takes a lot of pressure off individuals," said catcher Degan. "The pitching's been steady all year. That's why we've been so successful. Our bats slowed awhile, but they're coming back around. Our defense is just awesome right now."

Coolen said the team's recent success can be traced to a players-only team meeting on the road last month. The Wahine are 8-0 since the meeting.

SPEEDY GONZALES: Coolen also announced the signing of second baseman/outfielder Natalie Gonzales from Lincoln High in Stockton, Calif. Gonzales, a leadoff hitter, who could replace graduating senior Tia Morenz, is a three-time all-league player and helped Lincoln to three league championships. She batted .411 and was successful in 16 of 17 stolen base attempts last year.

Gonzales brings to seven the number of Hawaii softball signees this year.