Movin’ on up

Jazmine Zamora surprised a few opponents with her power last year.

Moving up a few spots in the order as a senior, she’s hoping to keep defenses honest with her versatility.

A new season brings slightly altered roles for some of the University of Hawaii softball team’s returnees, including Zamora and junior first baseman Leisha Li’ili’i, two leading producers from last season.

Zamora is slated to hit second in the order with Li’ili’i in the clean-up spot when the Rainbow Wahine open the season today against Hampton in the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic. They’re among a group of five returning starters that hit a collective .306 and averaged 9.2 home runs and 35 runs batted in among them.

Zamora, a second baseman, posted a team-best .337 batting average and displayed some pop with six homers while hitting sixth in the order.

Moving up in the lineup comes with some new responsibilities.

"Last year I was just going to hit the ball and hit it for power," Zamora said. "Hitting second, there’s more mental preparation because you’re not just up there trying to hit a bomb. I might bunt on you, I might slap; it’s more finding the gaps and situational hitting. There’s a few adjustments I have to work on."

Li’ili’i, who hit 13 home runs and led the Wahine with 41 RBIs, is adjusting to a slightly different role as well, moving into the cleanup spot, the place occupied by Jessica Iwata a year ago.

"There’s meaning behind every (spot), but especially the fourth spot," the Castle graduate said. "I’m just going to do my own thing and try not to think about comparing ourselves to hitters before."

Catcher Kayla Wartner is also shifting into a prominent place in the order as UH’s leadoff hitter for the opener, a spot Kelly Majam filled for the past four years.

"Wherever I go I’m perfectly OK with it as long as I get to play," Wartner said. "I like hitting. As long as we jell together I think we’ll be a good lineup."

Zamora is looking to build off a breakout season, but wasn’t all that satisfied with her showing in fall practice. She spent part of her winter break visiting Kauai with her mother and made a quick trip home to California. But staying in Hawaii for most of the break gave her a chance to work on her swing.

"We can hit in our cages any time we want and I went out there for a few night sessions, trying to maintain what we worked on," Zamora said. "Home to me can be a distraction. So I think this break I was more focused on improving from last year and being the best that I can."

Keiki Carlos is back in the third spot after finishing second on the team at .320 as a freshman. Sharla Kliebenstein, a senior who will split time between catcher and the outfield, had 12 home runs among her 34 hits.

The Wahine are also looking for contributions from newcomers, including freshmen Heather Morales and Lindsey Willmon. Morales is tonight’s scheduled starting pitcher and Willmon made a strong push in the fall for a starting spot in the outfield.

While Morales represents a dual threat as a pitcher and hitter, UH head coach Bob Coolen wants to limit her baserunning, which could lead to some creative lineup juggling, with Morales starting in the flex spot and later subbing into the middle of the order.

Coolen also mentioned Hawaii high school products Ulu Matagiese (Waimea), Ula Reis-Moniz (‘Iolani) and Joen Baker (Mililani) as freshmen who have hit well in practices, though the recent rain has kept the team from scrimmaging as much as planned.

The projected lineup will be shuffled even before today’s season opener. Kliebenstein and freshman shortstop Sarina Jaramillo will sit out against Hampton due to a violation of team rules. Both are expected to be available on Friday.

Tonight’s opponent, Hampton, went 34-26 and won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last year. The Wahine face Delaware and UCLA on Friday, with Saturday’s matchups determined by seeding.

Sataraka returns with Bruins

No. 16 UCLA makes its first appearance in Honolulu since 2000 with a lineup that includes Punahou graduate Mysha Sataraka.

Sataraka, the All-State Position Player of the Year in 2012, hit .276 with nine home runs as a freshman to help the Bruins finish 40-20. She spent part of her summer playing for the U.S. junior national team.

The Bruins open the tournament against Delaware, which went 35-22 last year and 12-9 in the Colonial Athletic Association.