Thursday, May 3, 2001

Wahine need to
sweep for playoffs

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

A 42-16 record to date -- including eight consecutive victories, the last five on the road -- is no guarantee the University of Hawaii softball team's season won't end with tomorrow's and Saturday's four-game series against San Jose State.

"If this team is thinking it can split the last four games and go to the regionals, it's mistaken," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "Two-and-two would kill us."

Anything less than a sweep as the Wahine host the Spartans could put Hawaii in jeopardy of not advancing to the postseason for the second consecutive year.

UH is one game behind Fresno State in the Western Athletic Conference standings. Both have four games left. If they finish tied, FSU gets the championship because the teams split their four games but Fresno did better against third-place Loyola-Marymount.

The WAC winner automatically advances to the 48-team regionals.

Saturday's doubleheader marks the final home games for seniors Kristin Anderson, Desiree Duran, Janelle Gonzales and Tyree Woodruff.

Gameday What: Western Athletic Conference softball doubleheaders, San Jose State (26-35, 5-9) at Hawaii (42-16, 12-4) When: 5 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium TV: KFVE, both days

http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu