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The University of Hawaii softball team continued to roll through its schedule in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic on Saturday with two wins shortened by the eight-run mercy rule.
The Rainbow Wahine (11-0) built on the best start in the program’s history by pulling away from Cal State Northridge 8-0 in six innings and Idaho State 14-0 in five innings at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park in Henderson, Nev.
UH closes its run in Las Vegas by facing host UNLV (4-4) today at Eller Media Stadium. The game is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Hawaii time.
The Wahine have outscored their first five opponents in the tournament 50-4 and have a string of 16 consecutive scoreless innings entering today’s finale on UNLV’s home field, which UH head coach Bob Coolen expects to be their toughest test of the weekend.
"They’ve been playing well," Coolen said. "(The Rebels) have some good wins in this tournament."
In Saturday’s win over Cal State Northridge, Coolen credited the UH defense for helping starter Kaia Parnaby keep the Matadors off the scoreboard until the offense got rolling.
"The defense would make some incredible plays," Coolen said. "Kaia got out of a bases-loaded jam, and the bats came around."
The Wahine jumped ahead early against Idaho State and senior Stephanie Ricketts posted her third shutout in her last four appearances.
"We’re working on things. The defense is playing well, pitchers are really toeing the rubber well and it’s just a matter of everything is looking good right now," Coolen said.