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Despite posting just one hit, the University of Hawaii softball team opened the Western Athletic Conference season with a 4-1 win over San Jose State tonight at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
The 17th-ranked Rainbow Wahine (25-2) manufactured a run in the first inning and three more in the fourth in support of pitcher Stephanie Ricketts, who protected the lead with help from a solid defensive performance.
Ricketts gave up six hits, struck out six and walked two and improved to 15-2 this season.
SJSU pitcher Amanda Pridmore held the UH offense to one single, struck out nine and walked five in the loss.
UH took the lead in the first inning when Kelly Majam scored from third on a double steal with two out.
In the fourth inning, Sharla Kliebenstein drew a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 2-0. With the bases still full, Makani Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu hit a ground ball to third to score Jessica Iwata. Alex Aguirre then sprinted to the plate on the throw to first to give UH a 4-0 cushion.
SJSU scored on Britney Helm’s RBI infield single in the top of the sixth, but Ricketts retired the Spartans in order in the seventh.
UH and SJSU conclude their series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
