Hawaii’s Hitchcock throws gem

Hawaii’s Brittany Hitchcock was in cruise control Friday against UC Riverside.

Hitchcock, a junior right-hander, pitched a four-hitter with no walks and four strikeouts as Hawaii beat UC Riverside 2-0 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

“I was able to get the outside half called quite a bit on the righties, so that made it able to set up some other pitches for me,” Hitchcock said.

It was the ninth time this season Hitchcock didn’t issue a walk. She has allowed just 21 in 1421⁄3 innings.

Hawaii’s offense came courtesy of Heather Cameron’s run-scoring single in the second inning and Angelique Ramos’ lead-off homer in the fourth.

Hitchcock struggled in the opening game of last week’s series at Cal State Northridge. She normally pitches Games 1 and 3 of a series, but Hawaii coach Bob Coolen elected to start Dana Thomsen and Kanani Aina Cabrales in the two other games against the Matadors.

“Brittany came back after last week,” Coolen said. “She got hit pretty hard against CSUN. Tonight, she was in command.”

Coolen added it was “possible” that Hitchcock would start the third game of this series, which will be the second game of a doubleheader today.

Hawaii was swept in the series against CSUN and hadn’t won since April 1.

“Everyone I’m sure was a little anxious to get the next win after those three losses,” said Hitchcock, who has seven shutouts this season. “I think we can all take a deep breath after this win, knowing we can beat anybody. We just need to play our game.”

Hitchcock didn’t allow a Highlanders runner to reach third base Friday. It was the sixth time this season she didn’t allow a runner to reach third.

The Rainbow Wahine (24-14, 3-4 Big West) surpassed last year’s win total with the victory.

Cameron’s run-scoring single to right field scored Callee Heen. The run was unearned because of two fielding errors committed by the Highlanders (20-16, 2-5).

“Cam has been working a lot on going opposite field, getting timely hits for us,” Coolen said. “She’s doing a real good job this year making adjustments. Getting that first run was huge for us.”

Ramos led off the fourth with a blast to center to extend the lead to 2-0.

“I was just looking for a good pitch to hit,” she said.

Hitchcock said the tight game allowed her to remain locked in.

“In a close game you can’t give up one big hit, so it was a matter of staying in and the defense playing strong behind me and we had some clutch hits,” she said.

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UC Riverside 000 000 0 – 0 4 2

Hawaii 010 100 x – 2 4 2

Haley Marschall, Tayler Misfeldt (4) and Jenae Lockwood. Brittany Hitchcock and Callee Heen. W–Hitchcock. L–Marschall.

Leading hitters–UCR: Jenna Curtan 2-3. Hawaii: Angelique Ramos HR; Heather Cameron 2-3, 2b.