Wednesday, February 13, 2002
Hawaii plays its home season opener tomorrow, but Rainbow Wahine senior Jennifer Tandarich did so last week -- with fine results. Tandarich has Wahine
excited about home openerBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comTandarich, a utility player from San Diego, went 4-for-7 in three games as UH won four in a row against San Diego State and Missouri at the Aztec Invitational.
The victories allowed Bob Coolen's crew to open its Chevron Paradise Classic with a 5-3 record after losing three of its first four at Long Beach State and California Riverside.
"Jen came into the games at San Diego State very relaxed, and I think it snowballed to the rest of the team," Coolen said. "We took advantage of their mistakes, put pressure on the other teams rather than ourselves.
"We had a team meeting and talked about not playing so tentatively. We weren't really playing to win," Coolen added. "Some of our seniors had not stepped up. Then when we got to San Diego the weather warmed up and so did our bats."
Coolen hopes UH remains hot tomorrow through Sunday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
"At the beginning we were unsure of ourselves we didn't realize what we had," Tandarich said. "But after the first couple of games we played like the ballclub we are. We do have a lot of talent and we pull together as a team."
The Rainbow Wahine host Long Beach State, Mercer and Texas-Arlington.
UH's first game is at 6 p.m. against Texas-Arlington after the 4 p.m. opener between Long Beach State and Mercer.
Pitching has been the Rainbow Wahine's strength so far. Sheri Oronoz is the early season ace, going 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA.
"We've established a three-pitcher rotation with Sheri, Shannon (Tabion) and Melissa (Coogan)," Coolen said.
Coogan shut out San Diego State last week with a two-hitter, and Tabion, the Hawaii high school player of the year from Baldwin, has progressed well, Coolen said.
Coolen is looking forward to avenging two losses at Long Beach State, which UH is 22-40 against all-time.
"They got us at their house," he said. "Now it's our turn."
But the Wahine realize that avenging a loss is just part of the ultimate plan.
"Beating LBS is definitely a goal for us, and taking the tournament," Tandarich said.
Shortstop Kate Judd is UH's top hitter, going 10-for-26 in the first eight games.
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