Dana Degen's second-inning home run and the four-hit pitching of Desiree Duran carried the Hawaii softball team to a 1-0 victory over Oregon State in the championship game of the Paradise Classic last night at UH. Two 1-0 wins give
Wahine softball titleDegen homered off the Beavers All-American pitcher Tarrah Beyster and also had a triple for the Wahine.
Hawaii (6-1) reached the final with a 1-0 nod over Baylor as tournament MVP Kelly Gentle pitched a one-hitter for her third straight shutout and third baseman Alison Rapanot went 3-for-3, driving in the game's only run in the seventh.
Oregon State (4-3) advanced to the title game by blanking Cal State Fullerton, 5-0, behind the two-hit pitching of Beyster.
OLYMPIC CHAMP AT GYM MEET: Svetlana Boguinskaia, a two-time Olympic champion and four-time world champ, will perform during the finals of the Hawaiian Gymnastics Classic Sunday at Bloch Arena.
"I hope everyone who appreciates sports will get a chance to see one of the most graceful gymnasts in history," said meet director Abra Slater, president of the Hawaii Gymnastics Foundation.
Boguinskaia, a native of Belarus who now lives in Houston, also will sign autographs.
The Classic, which has attracted teams from Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, Canada and Australia, begins Saturday and winds up Sunday with finals starting at 5:15 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults ($1 military discount) and $2 for children. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling 537-5481.
MADRID RING STANDOUT: Kili Madrid of the Wailuku Boxing Club outpointed Michael Balasi of the Kalakaua B.C. in the 139-pound final and was named the Outstanding Boxer in the LBS State Championships that wound up Saturday night at the Maunakea Marketplace.
WAHINE SIXTH IN WATER POLO: The Hawaii women's water polo team was beaten, 11-9, by San Diego State in the match for fifth place at the UC San Diego Arena Invitational yesterday.
Michelle Wong scored three goals for the Wahine, who return home with a 6-3 season record.
Earlier yesterday, two goals each by Wong and Karin Umemura helped UH beat UC Davis, 9-5.
Unbeaten USC captured the tournament title with a 4-3 win over Cal.
GARNETT 5-FOR-5: Chris Garnett had five of Manoa's 19 hits in a 17-4 Oahu Senior AJA baseball wipeout of Pearl City yesterday at Ala Wai Field.
Also at Ala Wai, John Shintaku doubled, singled twice and drove in three runs as McCully beat Ewa, 9-7.
At Hans L'Orange Park, Cory Ishigo had a home run, two doubles and a single, driving in three runs in Sheridan's 11-2 win over Aiea.
And at Fred Wright Park, Waialae rallied for two ninth-inning runs to edge Wahiawa, 9-8, behind solid relief pitching by Alvin Yano.
SENIOR TENNIS STANDOUTS: Bob Beckvall, Al Kunewa and Don Andrews won singles and doubles titles yesterday in the Ala Moana Seniors tennis tournament at Diamond Head Tennis Center.