Rainbow Wahine send seniors off in style

After a disappointing start to senior day, the University of Hawaii softball team’s honorees left the field to a customarily celebratory finish.

The Rainbow Wahine were shut out by Cal State Northridge 5-0 in the first game of Saturday’s Big West doubleheader, then bounced back for a 7-3 win in the seniors’ final appearance on their home field.

"Honestly we just wanted to have fun," senior second baseman Jazmine Zamora said through a pile of leis. "This season didn’t exactly go the way we all wanted it to, but the main thing was having fun. When we were kids that’s why we played, to have fun, and we want to have fun now."

The split left UH at 21-26 overall and 6-12 in Big West play heading into a season-ending series at UC Davis.

After losing the series opener on Friday, the Wahine fell behind early again in Saturday’s first game and Cal State Northridge right-hander Brianna Elder held UH to four hits as the Matadors clinched the series win.

UH freshmen Heather Morales and Sarina Jaramillo then helped the Wahine avoid a senior day sweep in the finale. Morales held CSUN to a single run through six innings, and Jaramillo hit a go-ahead home run in the third inning to help send the seniors out with a win as UH snapped a six-game skid at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

With two out in the top of the seventh, UH coach Bob Coolen summoned Kaile Nakao and Jori Jasper from the bench to join Zamora and Sharla Kliebenstein on the field to end the game.

"He didn’t tell us that was going to happen, but I think that’s a great way to send the seniors off," Jasper said.

CSUN extended the game a bit longer with a walk, a hit batter and Taylor Nate’s two-run double. But freshman Ulu Matagiese made a sliding catch in left field to end the game and start the senior festivities.

"When Ulu caught that ball I just wanted to give her a big hug and thank her," Zamora said.

Standing behind the plate, Kliebenstein also felt a sense of relief with the final out as she played her last game at RWSS with a large and loud contingent of family and friends in the stands.

"It’s the first time they’ve come out here to watch me play, the adrenaline was definitely pumping," Kliebenstein said. "I’m glad even though I didn’t do as well as I might have wanted to this season they have been there through everything, so it was nice to have them here."

CSUN (31-23, 8-10) took control of Saturday’s first game with three runs in the top of the first inning aided by an error, a walk and three hit batters.

Elder held UH to two hits through six innings before giving up consecutive singles to start the bottom of the seventh. She then struck out the next three batters to wrap up her fifth shutout of the season, while UH was blanked for the sixth time.

The loss assured UH of its first sub-.500 season since going 28-33 in 2004.

"In the first game we were just deflated … We didn’t really get going," Coolen said. "I’m glad we came out and did what we did in the second game."

CSUN led 1-0 going into the third inning when UH broke through against Elder with Leisha Li’ili’i’s sacrifice fly, and Jaramillo gave UH its first lead of the series with a two-run homer to left field.

"I watched two good pitches go by and I bit my tongue on those because I’ve been taught let one good one go by and you’re going to be in trouble," Jaramillo said. "All I was looking for was a base hit to score the runner or advance her and I ended up getting one right down the middle."

Jaramillo turned in two dazzling defensive plays with a diving catch on a looping hit behind third base and a strong throw from deep in the hole, and UH pulled away with three more runs in the fifth.

"That is indicative of the type of shortstop she can be," Coolen said. "This year will be good for her to gain confidence, and she’s special in that freshman class."

But in the end the day was about the seniors as they head into their final series together.

"I just want to have fun," Kliebenstein said. "I just want to play with the girls that I love and however it finishes that’s how it is. As long as we have fun I have no complaints."

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

Briana Elder and Katie Hooper. Loie Kesterson and Kayla Wartner, Sharla Kliebenstein (1). W—Elder. L—Kesterson.

Leading hitters—CSUN: Hooper, 2-3, RBI; Ariana Wassmer, RBI; Madison Fleming, RBI; Leann Lopez, RBI.

Brianna Elder, Daphne Pofek (5) and Katie Hooper. Heather Morales and Kayla Wartner, Sharla Kliebenstein (3). W—Morales. L—Elder.

Leading hitters—CSUN: Hooper, 2B; Maylynn Mitchell, RBI; Crystal Maas, 2B; Taylor Nate, 2B, 2 RBIs. Hawaii: Jazmine Zamora, 2B; Keiki Carlos, 2-4, 2 2B, 3 runs; Leisha Li’ili’i, RBI; Morales, RBI; Sarina Jaramillo, HR, 2 RBIs; Lindsey Willmon, RBI.

BIG WEST STANDINGS

*includes one tie for overall record

Saturday
CS Northridge 5, Hawaii 0
Hawaii 7, CS Northridge 3
UC Santa Barbara 4, UC Riverside 1
UC Santa Barbara 3, UC Riverside 0
Cal Poly 4, Long Beach State 0
Cal Poly 4, Long Beach State 2
CS Fullerton 5, UC Davis 4
CS Fullerton 10, UC Davis 5
Sunday
UC Santa Barbara at UC Riverside
Cal Poly at Long Beach State
UC Davis at CS Fullerton