Nevada pounded out a 7-0 softball victory over Hawai'i to win yesterday's best-of-three championship round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament in Fresno, Calif., and earn the league's automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

It was a stunning conclusion for the Rainbow Wahine, who needed to win two of the three games to earn their first NCAA berth in two seasons. Instead, the Rainbows — who beat Nevada, 1-0, then lost, 4-2, yesterday to set up the winner-take-all third game — will prepare for the offseason. They do not expect to receive an at-large berth when the NCAA field is announced today.

"No, no, it's over," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "It just wasn't meant to be."

The journey was better than expected for the Rainbows. Five UH players competed their eligibility at the end of the 2005 season, and three others transferred or quit the sport last summer. On the first day of practice in February, the team's average age was 19. "We were sort of getting our feet wet," Coolen said.

The schedule also was getting soaked. The Rainbows lost more than 10 games to rainouts, costing them victories and consideration for an at-large berth. Their only postseason hope was to win the WAC tournament. Before they could do that, they needed to complete an overturned game against Nevada that was originally played April 29.

Hours after arriving on an overnight flight Wednesday, the Rainbows beat Nevada in Fresno to earn the No. 3 seed.

In the tournament, they defeated Louisiana Tech, No. 2 seed San Jose State and No. 1 Fresno State to reach yesterday's best-of-three series against Nevada.

In yesterday's first game, they parlayed two errors in the bottom of the sixth to produce the only run. But right-fielder Malamaisaua Manuma, who was playing in place of Tanisha Milca (sprained right thumb), suffered a pulled hamstring. In Game 2, third baseman Clare Warwick was struck by a pitch on the right biceps, affecting her swing and throws. Catcher Kristi Yoshizawa suffered a sprained middle finger on her left (catching) hand. "Her finger was blue and ballooned after that," Coolen said. "It affected her swing. She became tentative while batting."

The Rainbows lost Game 2, and were doomed early in the decisive third game. Nevada designated hitter Kari Stockstill drove in three runs.

Nevada's Jordan McPherson pitched three complete games yesterday, allowing three runs — none earned — in 20 innings.

"They made every play in the book — every line drive, every catch, every pitch," Coolen said. "Isn't that how it goes?"

UH first baseman Tyleen Tausaga, the target of heckling fans the entire tournament, said: "We gave ourselves a chance. We put ourselves in the championship game. We did everything we could to win it. Nevada came though. I don't take anything away from Nevada. I don't take anything away from our team, either. We tried hard. We played hard. We just didn't win it. But we'll be back."

The Rainbows held their final team meeting last night. Most of the team returns to Honolulu today.

There were only two seniors on this team — Yoshizawa and pitcher Paula Blanning. Coolen said outfielder Kaulana Gould and recruit Kanani Warren will compete at catcher. The Rainbows return pitchers Justine Smethurst, Courtney Baughman, Jessica Morton and Kate Robinson. Coolen said he won't recruit another pitcher. He said all of the underclassmen signed scholarship agreements for next season.