The combination of two efficient performances by Kaia Parnaby and some timely power hitting propelled the University of Hawaii softball team to a tournament title on Sunday.

The Rainbow Wahine, ranked 20th and 22nd in last week’s polls, swept a doubleheader against Memphis and Western Kentucky University to capture the Bank of Hawaii Invitational championship.

Tournament MVP Kelly Majam hit the 60th home run of her career in UH’s 5-1 win over Memphis, and Jessica Iwata’s sixth-inning homer against WKU powered the Wahine (13-5) to a 3-0 win in the title game.

"As a team, we did really well," Iwata said. "We’re still trying to get a set lineup and we’re learning a lot about each other and what we can do."

Parnaby earned complete-game wins in both games. The senior left-hander gave up one unearned run and a total of eight hits, struck out 15 and walked one over 14 innings on Sunday and was named the tournament’s most valuable pitcher.

She threw 101 pitches against Memphis, then took a break while UH’s next opponent was determined.

The tournament schedule was modified to accommodate WKU’s travel plans, leaving UH unsure of whether it would play in the 3 or 5 p.m. time slot. The Lady Toppers defeated Campbell to join UH in the title game, meaning the Wahine had to gear up for the earlier game.

"I just sat in the clubhouse and took it as it went," Parnaby said. "I didn’t come out until the seventh with the rest of the team. I didn’t want to start warming up in the fifth and have to shut it down if things went the other way."

After a quick warm-up, Parnaby struck out three of the first four WKU batters she faced. She finished with seven strikeouts, gave up three hits and needed 93 pitches to beat WKU in a game that took 92 minutes to complete.

After WKU’s win over Campbell, "I thought they might have a little momentum," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "But Kaia was on and that always helps us."

WKU starter Mallorie Sulaski was also sharp through five shutout innings. Going into the sixth, Coolen advised the UH hitters to move up in the batter’s box to adjust to Sulaski’s curveball.

Kayla Wartner led off the inning with a hard shot that got past the first baseman, and Keiki Carlos followed with a walk.

Iwata, who hit her first home run of the season on Saturday, then launched a pitch out to left field to account for all of the game’s scoring.

"I was just looking to hit the ball hard," Iwata said. "If the people in front of me get on, that’s kind of my job and I play into that role as much as I can to try to help the team."

"We hit it at the right time," Coolen said. "We made the adjustment in the right inning with our power hitters up."

UH advanced to the title game by first avenging a 5-0 loss to Memphis on Saturday.

The Wahine broke through against Memphis starter Jordan Richwood in the second inning of the 11 a.m. game when Jazmine Zamora drilled a two-out, two-run double into the left-center-field gap.

Majam, who went 4-for-8 overall on Sunday, led off the third inning with a homer, and Carlos’ two-run double in the fourth gave UH a 5-0 lead.

Memphis scored its lone run in the sixth with the aid of two UH errors, but Parnaby closed out the win, finishing with eight strikeouts.

"After last night’s loss, Memphis had one up on us going into this morning’s game, so they were confident," Parnaby said. "It was good to come out and reinforce that this is our home field and this is how we play."

UH returns to action Thursday with an exhibition doubleheader against Tokyo Women’s College of Physical Education to open the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament.

Portland State and East Carolina will also participate in the tournament.