Monday, March 26, 2001

Wahine lose, but take
Hawaii Invitational title

Star-Bulletin staff

Janelle Gonzales was perfect on Friday and pretty close to it for three innings yesterday.

But Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education finally got to the University of Hawaii senior -- and in a big way, scoring all its runs off her in the fourth inning on the way to a 7-2 victory over UH as 112 watched yesterday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Mariko Masabuchi, a member of the silver-medal winning Japanese Olympic team, limited UH to four hits, including Stacey Porter's two-run homer in the third, which gave Hawaii a short-lived lead.

Tokyo batted around in the fourth, playing small ball for seven runs; Sayaka Igarashi's double was the only extra-base hit.

Despite closing its Hawaii Invitational with the loss to defending-champion Tokyo, UH (27-10 overall) won the rain-abbreviated tournament with a 5-1 tournament record. Tokyo, which opened its season here, leaves 4-2.

"Our kids are pretty beat up, but we met our goal, which was to win the tournament," Hawaii coach Bob Coolen said. "We knew Janelle might be a little tight, but we wanted her to get some work so we left her in (through the fourth inning)."

The Wahine clinched the tournament with a 2-1 victory over San Diego earlier in the day. Natalie Gonzales' grounder to second plated Jennifer Tandarich, who beat a throw to the plate.

Tandarich had reached on a double to left-center and ended upat third when the outfield misplayed the hit.

Felicity Witt (15-5) pitched a four-hitter, striking out four and walking none.

Janelle Gonzales pitched a perfect game Friday against McNeese State, tying the UH record for strikeouts in a game by fanning 15 of the 21 batters she set down in order. Brooke Wilkins punched out 15 twice in 1994.

The Wahine begin a nine-game road trip with a doubleheader at Cal-State Northridge on Wednesday.

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu