UH overcomes 10-run hole to top Portland State

The University of Hawaii softball team erased a 10-run deficit and rallied to a 13-12 win over Portland State in the Easton Desert Classic on Saturday in Las Vegas.

UH trailed 11-1 going into the bottom of the fifth, but stormed back and tied the score with a six-run outburst in the sixth inning, highlighted by Alyssa Villalpando’s grand slam. Sharla Kliebenstein drove in Keiki Carlos with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to give UH (6-3) its third win of the tournament.

"There was no give-up in anyone," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

Portland State threatened to end the game in the fifth after hitting three home runs in a seven-run barrage to build a 10-run cushion.

Leisha Li’ili’i took the first cut into the lead with a two-run homer. The eight-run rule was still a possibility until Jazmine Zamora extended the game with a three-run homer to cut the deficit to five.

"At the beginning, we were getting handcuffed … and it wasn’t pretty," Coolen said.

"We made an adjustment and we moved up on the plate and started getting extension."

Portland State (2-6) added a run in the top of the sixth to push the lead to 12-6.

UH loaded the bases in the sixth. Kaile Nakao was hit by a pitch to force in a run and Carlos scored on an error. UH then caught the Vikings on Villalpando’s grand slam.

"She shocked everyone," Coolen said "She hit that ball a ton."

Carlos, who went 5-for-5 at the plate, singled with one out in the bottom of the seventh and Nakao drew a walk with two out. Kliebenstein then delivered the single to left to score Carlos with the winning run.

Loie Kesterson picked up the win in throwing  22/3 innings in relief of starter Heather Morales.

UH is 3-1 in the four-day tournament and concludes its six-game run with a doubleheader on Sunday against Nevada and Utah.

Raya Johnson, Karyn Wright (5), Meagan Hendrix (6) and Kayla Norrie. Heather Morales, Loie Kesterson (5) and Sharla Kliebenstein. W–Kesterson. L–Hendrix.

Leading hitters–Portland State: Shae Nelson, 2-5, HR, 3 RBIs; Crysta Conn, HR; Brit Hendrickson, 2-5, 2B, RBI; Aubrey Nitschelm, HR, 3 RBIs; Candice Orozco, HR, 2 RBIs; Alicia Fine, HR; Mackenzie Bourbanis, 2-4, RBI.

Hawaii: Keiki Carlos, 5-5, 3 runs, 2B; Leisha Li’ili’i, 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs; Kliebenstein, 2-5, 2B, GW RBI; Jazmine Zamora, HR, 3 RBIs; Alyssa Villalpando, grand slam.