Wahine still standing

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Fighting to survive, Hawaii thrived -- but not before putting itself in a tough spot.

Hawaii    SJSU 12 4 NEXT UP Fresno St. or NMSU, today

The Rainbow Wahine exploded for a season-high number of runs in a 12-4 victory over San Jose State yesterday, staving off elimination in the Western Athletic Conference softball tournament. But the hosts spotted the Spartans four first- inning runs at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Then Jessica Morton pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings, and the UH bats exploded for 12 hits and took advantage of five San Jose State errors and five walks. First baseman Audrey Andrade -- who entered the game hitting .211 and was pulled from Wednesday's loss to Louisiana Tech -- led the comeback with three hits and a walk, driving in three runs.

"That really got her motivated when we didn't leave her in," Wahine coach Bob Coolen said. "I think Audrey finally got a conviction to get the ball in play."

UH improved to 37-18 and advanced to play Fresno State today in another must-win game.

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It wasn't the typical Hawaii softball victory. But Rainbow Wahine coach Bob Coolen will take last night's 12-4 comeback blasting of San Jose State in a Western Athletic Conference tournament survival game.

"We don't have many of these," Coolen said.

Actually, they hadn't any at all, not this season, until last night at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The runs were the most for Hawaii in a game this year, and at the plate it was reminiscent of 2007, when UH often blew away opponents on the way to the verge of the College World Series.

This time, the Wahine had to battle back, as starting pitcher Kate Robinson was not sharp and allowed four Spartans runs in the first inning -- which Robinson finished at first base rather than in the pitcher's circle.

A gathering of 202 watched five games on the second day of the tournament.

Jessica Morton, used to relieving later, came in and shackled San Jose State the rest of the way, yielding only five harmless hits in 6 1/3 innings.

And the Hawaii hitters got going, rapping out 12 safeties and taking advantage of five errors and five walks from the Spartans.

"They basically hit the ball well and we didn't hit our spots," San Jose State coach Peter Turner said. "(Morton) came in and shut us down. All the credit goes to them. They fought their way back into the game and we didn't get it done."

The third-seeded Rainbow Wahine (37-18) survived to play Fresno State, a 7-6 winner over New Mexico State, at 4:30 p.m. today. A win, and UH plays again tonight for the chance to compete for the championship tomorrow (Hawaii would have to win against an unbeaten team twice to take the tournament).

UH's other top starting pitcher, Courtney Baughman, is out for the tournament for a reason Coolen won't disclose. That makes Robinson -- the team's top hitter -- the starting pitcher until further notice. Coolen said she would be it again today.

Coolen said Morton was part of his plan yesterday, but not for the first inning.

"We knew what we were going to do if Kate faltered. We want a couple of good innings out of Kate and then Jess is up for a challenge," Coolen said. "She knows the pressure's on. Kate's running out of fuel a little bit and without Courtney around ... "

San Jose State had scored four times on four singles and two walks when Morton entered after eight batters and Hawaii down 4-0.

"I went in with the umpire having a small zone. I walked my first batter and after that it was better. But it was definitely the hardest situation (relieving) I've been in," Morton said.

She said it was early enough where the deficit could be dealt with by her teammates if she did her part.

"I definitely had the confidence in them that they could do it," Morton said. "They can hit off me in practice, and if they're hitting it off me they're definitely going to hit it off the girls we're playing."

Audrey Andrade led Hawaii at the plate, driving in three runs with three hits in three at-bats. She also walked. This, after being benched for not hitting during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to LaTech.

"The reason I took her out last night was on a strikeout she didn't look like she was coming close to the ball," Coolen said.

Andrade delivered one of the big blows in a six-run fifth inning that gave the Wahine a 10-4 lead. Her single was misplayed, allowing two runs to score. UH sent 11 batters to the plate and the comeback was complete.

"I was ready for today," Andrade said. "When we fell behind, I just knew it wasn't going to be the end. I knew everybody was going to go out there and do their best, and that's what I did."

She believes the Wahine can win four more games and the WAC championship that comes with it.

"We know what we should be doing, and we can't just sit back and let it happen. We have to do something about it," she said.