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2013 February 27 SPT - Wahine Softball - Hawaii's Brynne Buchanan beat the throw to Memphis firstbaseman Jaye Smith to get on base in the 6th inning of the Memphis vs Hawaii women's softball game. HSA photo by Bruce Asato
The University of Hawaii softball team opened a lengthy homestand with a 5-1 win over Memphis tonight.
UH left-hander Kaia Parnaby struck out seven and picked up the complete-game victory for the No. 20/22 Rainbow Wahine (9-4) in their first game at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium in 18 days.
UH took the lead in the bottom of the second when Leisha Li’ili’i led off the inning with her first home run of the season, an opposite field shot to left center. UH later loaded the bases and Kayla Wartner drew a walk to give the Wahine a 2-0 lead.
Memphis put runners on first and third with two out in the top of the third and Leilani Bernardino scored on a wild pitch on a swinging third strike to Jaye Smith.
UH pushed the lead to 3-1 when Wartner led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run to left.
Keiki Carlos added an RBI double in the sixth inning and scored on Jessica Iwata’s line-drive single to right to give the Wahine a 5-1 lead.
Memphis junior Ellen Roberts struck out nine and walked seven and took the loss.
The Rainbow Wahine face Western Kentucky to open the Bank of Hawaii Invitational at 6 p.m. Friday. They play Campbell and Memphis in a Saturday doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. The tournament concludes with bracket play on Sunday.
