Club teammates in high school, Lindsey Willmon and Brittany Hitchcock combined to power the University of Hawaii softball team to a season-opening win on Thursday.

Willmon’s three-run home run in the fourth inning backed up Hitchcock’s complete-game performance in UH’s 3-1 win over Saint Mary’s in the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic.

"Honestly it’s amazing. That is a great feeling," Willmon said of sharing the opening-night spotlight with Hitchcock.

"Me and Britt basically made this journey together and we plan on making a difference on this team. As one of our leaders she’s going to do a really good job and I’m really inspired by her."

The three-day tournament continues Friday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium with UH scheduled to face No. 25 DePaul at 5 p.m. and No. 4 Oklahoma at 7.

Willmon and Hitchcock first teamed up with the SoCal Choppers as juniors in high school and both signed with UH in the fall of 2012.

While Willmon established herself as a productive member of the lineup as a freshman last spring, Hitchcock sat out the season due to a back injury. She threw 98 pitches in her college debut and gave up four hits, struck out four and walked none to earn the win.

"Last year we didn’t have enough pitching depth and we knew we would struggle without Brittany and Brittany showed she’s a fighter," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "She got a little tired at the end … but for her to go seven innings is a testament to her wanting it that bad."

Hitchcock typically keeps the ball low in the strike zone and got 15 ground-ball outs while working ahead in the count for most of the night.

"There were definitely nerves, but it was good, I was glad I was feeling those nerves to work through that and had my team back me up. They made plays out of the gate in the first inning so it was nice to know I had their support."

Hitchcock and Saint Mary’s starter Lujane Mussadi were in control for the first three innings before UH broke through in the bottom of the fourth with Willmon’s 12th career home run.

After pop outs on the first two pitches of the inning, Leisha Li’ili’i singled to right and Heather Morales chopped a single into left and an error allowed both runners to advance. Willmon took a pitch before launching the next high into the net beyond left field.

"I just stayed relaxed the box and made sure I was ready for anything that came in my zone," Willmon said.

Saint Mary’s scored its lone run in the top of the sixth when Katelyn Mamiuzuka doubled to right and scored on Hailey Sparacino’s two-out double to left. 

Lujane Mussadi, Katie Moss (5) and Andrea Hazel. Brittany Hitchcock and Kayla Wartner. W–Hitchcock. L–Mussadi.

Leading hitters–St. Mary’s: Hailey Sparacino, 2-3, 2B, RBI; Loralie Fitzpatrick, 2B; Katelyn Mamizuka, 2B. Hawaii: Leisha Li’ili’i, 2-3, 2B; Lindsey Willmon, HR, 3 RBIs.

Thursday’s early game

Oklahoma 9, DePaul 2

Friday’s games

Saint Mary’s vs. DePaul, noon

Saint Mary’s vs. Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m.

DePaul vs. Hawaii, 5 p.m.

Oklahoma vs. Hawaii, 7 p.m.