Bob Coolen has seen the University of Hawaii softball team produce some prodigious home run numbers over the years.

But two grand slams in an inning? That’s a new one.

Just about 24 hours after surrendering an eight-run first inning in a loss to California, the Rainbow Wahine hit two grand slams in their first turn at bat on Friday — the first by Leisha Li’ili’i and the second by Lindsey Willmon — in a 14-1 rout of San Jose State in the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament. 

UH sent four of its nine hits beyond the fences at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium for its second-highest run total of the season. Keiki Carlos and Ulu Matagiese both hit two-run homers in the third inning in the five-inning bounce-back win.

"This was huge for us," Coolen said. "If we have that type of swagger and that type of fortitude and everyone rallies with each other, great."

UH pitcher Kanani Aina Cabrales walked the first two batters she faced but was aided by an unassisted double play turned by shortstop Sarina Jaramillo. Aina Cabrales (5-5) stayed in control from there and finished with four strikeouts while holding SJSU, which entered the game hitting .370, to three hits.

The tournament continues Saturday with UH (10-8) facing Longwood at 3:30 p.m.

After losing to Cal 12-4 on Thursday, the Wahine met in the locker room to put that performance behind them and reset their focus.

"We had a long talk as a team yesterday and talked about flushing (the loss)," Willmon said.

"We were done candy-coating everything, we were done trying to make up excuses for ourselves. As a team we went in the locker room and said we have to put our foot down and we need to change something because clearly it’s not working. We came out today with new attitude and came out with some confidence."

One change came when Coolen filled out the lineup card. He moved Heather Morales into the cleanup spot and she made her first career start at first base. That shifted Li’ili’i to the designated player spot and fifth in the order.

"I’m struggling at the plate right now, so we had to try to mix things up," Li’ili’i said.

Coolen might stick with the new lineup after Friday’s outburst.

Willmon was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the first, Kayla Wartner singled and Morales walked to load the bases with one out. Li’ili’i then drilled a 1-1 pitch to left center for the opposite-field grand slam. 

"I was kind of struggling with the inside, so I told myself to look middle-opposite because that’s my power zone," Li’ili’i said.

UH loaded the bases again with two out and, after a pitching change, Willmon hammered her fifth home run of the season to give UH an 8-0 lead.

"It was definitely something that was in my head," Willmon said of seeing Li’ili’i’s grand slam. "I felt like it was time. It had been a while since I got a hold of one."

SJSU (13-4) scratched out a run in the top of the fifth, but Aina Cabrales closed out the win to snap the Spartans’ seven-game winning streak.

"We just told each other we’ve got each other’s back," Li’ili’i said of the pregame message. "We believe in each other and we have to move on, start fresh."

Katelyn Linford, Colette Riggs (1) and Nicole Schultz, Kryn Masutani (3). Kanani Aina Cabrales and Kayla Wartner. W–Aina Cabrales. L–Linford.

Leading hitters–SJSU: Taylor Purdy, 2B, Chelsea Jenner, RBI. Hawaii: Lindsey Willmon, grand slam; Keiki Carlos, 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs; Leisha Li’ili’i, grand slam; Sarina Jaramillo, RBI; Ulu Matagiese, HR, 2 RBIs; Aina Cabrales, RBI

Also Friday

California 3, Longwood 0

San Jose State 6, Longwood 4, 8 innings

Saturday

San Jose State vs. California, 1 p.m.

Longwood vs. Hawaii, 3:30 p.m.