University of Hawaii shortstop Jessica Iwata struck early and late to help power the Rainbow Wahine softball team to a 6-0 win over Nevada on Friday in the opener of a three-game series in Reno, Nev.

Iwata ignited the UH offense with a three-run home run in the first inning and capped the scoring with a solo shot in the seventh, while pitcher Stephanie Ricketts posted a record-tying shutout as the No. 14/18 Wahine (36-4, 10-2 Western Athletic Conference) maintained their spot atop the league standings.

Ricketts (23-2) held Nevada to three hits and struck out six in her ninth shutout of the season and 32nd of her career. Ricketts’ career total matched the UH mark set by Brooke Wilkins in 1994 and ’95.

Ricketts entered the week second in the nation in earned-run average at 0.95 and has given up more than one run just once in her past 10 starts with three shutouts in that span.

"She’s throwing a really heavy ball right now," UH head coach Bob Coolen said. "Steph was hitting her spots, and if the call didn’t go her way she didn’t get frustrated. And (catcher) Kayla (Wartner) called

another great game."

Ricketts got early run support when Iwata hit an opposite-field home run with Kelly Majam and Sarah Robinson on base in the top of the first. Her shot marked the fourth straight game UH homered in the first inning.

Iwata’s seventh-inning homer was her 10th of the season and 43rd of her career, moving her within one of second place on UH’s career home run list, just behind Kate Robinson.

"Right now she’s a really patient hitter and doesn’t get fooled much," Coolen said.

Robinson added a solo homer in the third inning to give UH a 4-0 lead and Jocelyn Enrique contributed a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth.

Though listed as a junior, Enrique is in her fourth year in the program and will take part in next week’s senior festivities. Coolen said Enrique, a Kapaa graduate, informed him earlier this week of her intention to transfer to a school in Wisconsin next season to be closer to her parents and close out her college softball career.

Enrique is one of UH’s top hitters off the bench, and Coolen said her decision brings added meaning to her pinch-hitting opportunities.

"That’s the production we need and she nailed it," he said.

The series between the Wahine and Wolf Pack

(16-29, 6-7) concludes today with a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.