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The University of Hawaii softball team opened the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament with a doubleheader sweep tonight at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, breaking the program’s record for longest winning streak in the process.
The 19th-ranked Rainbow Wahine tied the mark of 18 consecutive wins set in 2010 with a 7-1 win over Southern Illinois. UH (19-0) then passed the record with a 4-0 win over Radford.
UH right fielder Sharla Kliebenstein hit home runs in both games, a two-run shot to right center in the sixth inning against Southern Illinois and a solo homer to left in the fourth inning against Radford.
Leisha Li’ili’i also homered in the sixth against SIU and Jessica Iwata hit a two-run homer against Radford.
UH right-hander Stephanie Ricketts (11-0) matched a season-high with 12 strikeouts against SIU (11-6). Wahine left-hander Kaia Parnaby (8-0) then tossed a three-hit shutout against Radford (7-7).
UH closes the tournament on Sunday against Robert Morris at noon and Marist at 4 p.m. at RWSS.
