UH softball team loses to BYU in tournament opener

The University of Hawaii softball team opened the Easton Desert Classic with a 4-2 loss to BYU today in Las Vegas.

Campbell graduate Katie Manuma drove in two runs for BYU and the Cougars (3-3) handed No. 20/23 UH (5-2) its second straight loss.

UH senior Kaia Parnaby gave up seven hits, struck out seven and walked none in the loss. The Rainbow Wahine committed three errors in the game contributing to unearned runs in the first and fourth innings.

BYU took the lead on Manuma’s RBI groundout in the top of the first inning.

UH jumped ahead in the third on Jessica Iwata’s two-run single. But the Cougars answered in the fourth with Manuma reaching on an error and eventually scoring the tying run on Carly Duckworth’s RBI single. BYU took the lead on Madisen Robb’s sacrifice fly.

Manuma added an RBI single in the fifth to give BYU a two-run cushion.

UH put runners on base in each of the last three innings, but BYU pitcher Tori Almond benefitted from double plays in the sixth and seventh innings in closing out the win.

The tournament continues Friday with UH facing San Jose State and No. 19/18 UCLA.