The showdown between the conference's top two teams proved little last weekend other than Hawaii and Fresno State are capable of beating each other. Wahine gain confidence
WAC standings
from split at FresnoBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comThe Wahine and Bulldogs opened the Western Athletic Conference softball season on Saturday against each other, with UH taking a doubleheader off the hosts for the first time ever in 21 twinbills.
Fresno State came right back on Sunday to sweep Hawaii. Now that the rain and hail have cleared, the two find themselves tied for third at 2-2. On paper, the Wahine appear to have the better shot at moving ahead of the Bulldogs this week.
Fresno State is on the road, facing league-leader Louisiana Tech tomorrow, then early cellar-dweller Tulsa on Saturday. Hawaii (21-16) is home to play Nevada (17-20, 1-3 WAC) in doubleheaders tomorrow and Saturday. The Wolf Pack is in its first season of competition and won its first WAC game last week by defeating San Jose State.
"Nevada had some quality wins at the beginning of the year, so they're not just another first-year program," said Wahine coach Bob Coolen. "She (UN coach Michelle Gardner) has done a nice job bringing in experience with junior college players and has some good freshmen. They have good players. They just don't have the experience of playing together as a team."
Tomorrow's games
All games doubleheadersNevada at Hawaii, 6 p.m., Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Fresno State at Louisiana Tech
San Jose State at TulsaSaturday's games
Nevada at Hawaii, 1 p.m., Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Fresno State at Tulsa
The experience of beating Fresno State last weekend did a lot for Hawaii's morale. But it also accentuated just what a Jekyll-and-Hyde team UH is.
"I never know, day to day, which team will show up," said Coolen. "We did everything right on Saturday and everything wrong on Sunday. What I'm hoping is that the Thursday-Saturday format will help us. It's how everyone else is playing."
Hawaii is the exception to the WAC scheduling. Where other WAC teams have home-and-home scheduling, the Wahine host two doubleheaders with schools every other year and are on the road against teams for four games on alternating years.
Coolen said he was happy that Nevada added softball and wasn't sure what the problem was with other WAC schools. UTEP will join the league next year; still not competing in softball are Boise State, Rice and SMU.
"Boise State I understand, but there's no real excuse for Rice or SMU," said Coolen. "They say they're private schools, but there's a lot of talent in Texas that would stay home to play for them if there were programs. It would be nice if Rice and SMU came along with UTEP. It would be a worthwhile trip to be able to play the three schools on one road trip."
Hawaii came back with some confidence following the 2-2 split with Fresno State. The Wahine also know they've found a potential third pitcher for the rotation in freshman Paula Blanning. She picked up her first career win last Saturday in a 7-1 victory in the second game against the Bulldogs.
"Paula's win was big for us," said Coolen. "She was a surprise starter and the team basically said they were going to play hard for her.
"It was unreal after we beat Fresno twice Saturday. We went to dinner and it was all we could talk about. Unfortunately, we lost an hour (daylight savings time) and there was a sorority-fraternity party until around 4 a.m. at our hotel. We didn't get much sleep, had to get up to pack the van at 8 a.m. and Fresno was waiting for us."
Coolen said it was almost excusable. The Wahine were at the end of a two-week roadtrip that started in North Carolina and ended in California.
"We learned a lot," he said. "We didn't have any practice during the trip. It finally showed up Sunday with the errors when we didn't throw and catch very well. That's what we are going to do (at yesterday's practice). We are refocused with new goals.
"Fresno and us know that if we play and catch well, we'll both beat the top teams in the country. That's how the season needs to end. We can't falter and blink against the teams we should beat."
BACK TO TOP |
WAC standings
WAC games Overall W L Pct. GB W L Louisiana Tech 2 0 1.000 -- 12 7 San Jose State 3 1 .750 -- 21 22 Hawaii 2 2 .500 1 21 16 Fresno State 2 2 .500 1 18 17 Nevada 1 3 .000 2 17 20 Tulsa 0 2 .000 2 25 17
UH Athletics
