UCLA hands Rainbow Wahine first loss at World Series, 5-2
Advertiser Staff
UCLA hit three home runs to defeat Hawai'i, 5-2, today, handing the Rainbow Wahine their first loss of the Women's College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
The Rainbow Wahine, making their World Series debut, are 50-15. UCLA is 47-11. Hawai'i will play the Arizona-Washington winner at 3:30 p.m. Hawaii time tomorrow, according to a UH spokeswoman.
The Bruins showed off their hitting power today in taking a 4-0 lead.
UCLA's Samantha Camuso hit a two-run homer in the top of the second inning. After Hawai'i starting pitcher Stephanie Ricketts gave up a single, she was replaced by Kaia Parnaby. Two outs later, GiOnna DiSalvatore's RBI single to center made it 3-0.
Hawai'i's Jenna Rodriguez reached base to start the bottom of the second after her pop up dropped in between three UCLA infielders. Rachel Paragas then came in to pinch run for Rodriguez, but was stranded at first.
Parnaby gave up a single to start the top of the third, but struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning.
Julie Burney's solo homer made it 4-0 in the top of the fourth.
Alex Aguirre hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 4-2.
Rodriguez hit a two-out single to the left-field fence Aguirre, who had a long at-bat by facing over a dozen pitches, followed with her homer. Kanani Pu'u-Warren then singled up the middle and Amanda Tauali'i singled to the outfield to put runners at the corners. Katie Grimes popped out to end the inning.
UCLA's Andrea Harrison hit a solo homer in the top of the fifth to extend the Bruins' lead to 5-2.
Hawai'i's Kelly Majam walked with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Jessica Iwata's fly out and Melissa Gonzalez's ground out ended the inning.
UCLA's Kaila Shull doubled to start the top of the sixth, but was left stranded at third.
Both teams are 1-0 in the tournament after winning openers yesterday.
Hawai'i went down in order in the bottom of the sixth.
Megan Langenfeld doubled to start the top of the seventh, but her pinch runner Amy Crawford was doubled off on a liner by Harrison.
Traci Yoshikawa singled with two outs, but Kelly Majam grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game.