Wahine softball team
nearly cracks Top 25

Star-Bulletin staff

The University of Hawaii softball team finished the regular season ranked 27th in the nation after receiving 16 votes in this week's USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll.

The Wahine won all four of their games last week -- their last of the regular season -- sweeping Western Athletic Conference opponent San Jose State. Their record stands at 46-16, 16-4 in the WAC. They find out this weekend if they will be invited to an NCAA regional.

Last weekend, the team announced awards at their banquet.

Junior lead-off hitter Natalie Gonzales was named Offensive Player of the Year. She batted a team-high .348 with 73 hits, three triples and 10 stolen bases.

Senior pitcher Desiree Duran won Pitcher of the Year. She finished 17-4 overall (9-0 in the WAC) with a 1.37 ERA, 121 strikeouts and an opponents' batting average of .199.

Senior center fielder Kristin Anderson was named Most Inspirational and Tyree Woodruff was voted Defensive Player of the Year. Junior outfielder Stacie Hirano earned the team's Scholar-Athlete and highest GPA, while freshman reserve Justina Kahaku took the Coaches' Award.

UH-Hilo fundraiser kicks off Saturday

The Vulcan Athletic Drive begins Saturday, before the 4 p.m. baseball game between the University of Hawaii and UH-Hilo. KTA Super Stores will present a check to kickstart the drive, which is geared toward raising money for the UHH athletic program.

Reverse race running this Saturday in Kapolei

The second annual "Mother-in-Law" race will take place this Saturday night at the Hawaii Motor Speedway in Kapolei.

The race will consist of a two-women team with one driving and one in the backseat.

Since the event will be run in reverse, the driver must rely on directions from her backseat co-pilot and rearview mirror. Only four-cylinder streetcars will be allowed in the 10-lap event.

Base hosts tri/duathlon

The 5th Annual Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon is scheduled for May 19 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii-Kaneohe Bay.

The registration fee for military ID cardholders is $20, $25 for civilians and $60 for three-person teams.

The duathlon consists of a 2-mile run, an 11.1-mile bike and a 3.5-mile run. The triathlon includes an 800-meter swim, 11.1-mile bike and a 3.5-mile swim.

For more information, call 254-7590.