Great stuff, the University of Hawaii softball team's home run record.

And there's no denying that Jessica Iwata's three-run blast and Kelly Majam's grand slam broke open yesterday's WAC tournament game against Fresno State. But here's something to keep in mind as UH prepares for the NCAA tournament: The Wahine also scored nine runs yesterday on line drives, walks, hit batsmen and errors.

Seniors Katie Grimes and Traci Yoshikawa, at the bottom of the lineup, started the 14-run third inning with a single and a double. Hawaii has many ways to score. All will be needed as the competition gets tougher.

The other thing to keep in mind is pitcher Stephanie Ricketts' performance from here on out will determine if UH can get to Oklahoma City and the College Softball World Series. The Ricketts who handcuffed Fresno State yesterday might be able to do it. The one whose hometown San Jose State Spartans pounded her pitches on Thursday, no.

» I wish people who should know better would stop saying “;never.”; This includes those who said a team from a midmajor conference would never play in a BCS bowl game (since then Utah, Boise State, Hawaii and TCU have all done so). Now some say such a team will never play in a national championship game. Under the current setup, probably not; but the federal government isn't going to let the power conferences dictate the rules forever.

There is almost never a reason to say never, unless you don't mind looking foolish later.

» Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent: If you haven't called Red Bull for an easy endorsement deal yet, what are you waiting for?

» Regarding all the talk about LeBron James going to the Knicks to win five or 10 championships: What is there to make anyone think that team's ownership and management will pick the right players to put around The King?

» People in the know tell us USC football will be hit very hard very soon by the NCAA — we're talking losing scholarships and bowl eligibility — for transgressions during the Pete Carroll coaching era.

Hmm ... I'd say maybe the Trojans can schedule some “;bowl”; games at Hawaii, like Alabama did when it couldn't play in the postseason. But USC is already on the Warriors' slate three of the next four years and the 2011 dance card is full.

» While shooting the breeze with my friend Eddie Tangjian Jr., we tried to think of the best crossover basketball/baseball player. We agree on Kenny Lofton. There's Dave DeBusschere, who actually pitched in the majors before his Hall of Fame NBA career. Other candidates?

» Expect one change on the UH football coaching staff between now and the start of the season.

» Memo to prep sports chief Chris Chun: I know Maryknoll was defending champ and all that, but please, please, please ... no more teams with losing records in state tournaments.

» There's a big difference between writers who are true masters and those simply overimpressed with themselves. The really outstanding craftsmen know how to get out of the way of a great story and let it tell itself. That's one of the traits that makes Bill Plaschke among the very best in our business.

Do an Internet search of “;Frank Mutz”; “;Bill Plaschke”; and read “;Living the dream at last”; ... you'll see what I mean.

The fact that Mutz, a former UH baseball player, is one of the many good guys in this story is just part of why you might enjoy it.

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Reach Star-Bulletin sports columnist Dave Reardon at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), his “;Quick Reads”; blog at starbulletin.com, and twitter.com/davereardon.