May 29, 2010 Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Today was an eventful day. We all woke up early and eager this morning for today's game.

Last night we went to the field, warmed up and ready to play and lightning began to strike all around the field. The next thing you knew there was a huge thunder and lightning storm over the field.

We went back to the hotel to wait out the storm and the next thing we knew the game was cancelled. Most of us hung out in the lobby to watch the other Super Regional games on TV, and then we went our separate ways and headed for bed.

It was hard to fall asleep last night because of all the suspense and buildup for the game that was rained out. We all got a taste of putting on the uniform, warming up, and getting ready for the big game.

This morning when we arrived at the field, the Crimson Tide fans were already waiting. Playing at that field with all of those SEC fans was probably the most intense environment I have ever played in.

Before the game I told the team that this is the biggest game of the season, not because of whom or where we were playing but what we were playing for. At various times throughout the game I had to remind myself of my own words.

As the first game went on, it just seemed like nothing was going our way. In the game of softball, sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn't. We hit a few balls that were hard shots that just couldn't seem to get through.

After the game we changed dugouts and switched up our uniforms, it seemed to help. We came out blazing in the second game ready to score some runs. Jessica Iwata came through with one of the most game changing, clutch hits I have ever seen. Once Jessica hit that grand slam and we had a little cushion and a sigh of relief came out of all of us, but we knew Alabama wouldn't go down that easy.

Sooner than we thought Alabama jumped on us and manufactured some clutch hitting and the game was tied. Everyone stayed focused and stayed in the game mentally and we jumped on them early in the top of the sixth inning.

We started the seventh inning up by one run and all we needed was three outs, but even that couldn't go down easy. Alabama rallied and loaded the bases and two outs, with the two-time All-American, Charlotte Morgan, up to the plate.

Coach Bob called time out to talk to Stephanie (Ricketts) and told her, "Let's get the out and win the game." I didn't have to say anything to Steph after that, she was ready.

We worked the count and Morgan fouled off a few balls, and finally we got her to fly out and we won the game.

Today was the most emotionally draining two games I have ever been a part of. Tomorrow is truly it — either we win or we go home.

I know everyone is going to come out ready to win. We have our confidence and our swagger back and tomorrow is going to be the game of the season. I know everyone from back home will be watching us and cheering us on and everyone on our team wants to win this one for Hawai'i.

The game will be televised on ESPN at 7 a.m. Hawai'i time. GO 'BOWS!