Rainbow softball team enters tourney on 5-game win streak
Advertiser Staff
The University of Hawai'i softball team will try to add to its modest five-game winning streak when it plays host to the Chevron Invitational today through Sunday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
• Today: Nittaidai 2 vs. California, 3 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. California, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Nittaidai 1, 7 p.m. • Tomorrow: Northwestern vs. Nittaidai 2, 10 a.m.; Nittaidai 1 vs. Hofstra, noon; California vs. Hofstra, 2 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Northwestern, 4 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Nittaidai 2, 6 p.m.; Hofstra vs. Nittaidai 2, 8 p.m. • Saturday: California vs. Nittaidai 1, 9 a.m.; California vs. Northwestern, 11 a.m.; Nittaidai 1 vs. Northwestern, 1 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Hofstra, 3 p.m.; Nittaidai 2 vs. Nittaidai 1, 5 p.m.; Northwestern vs. Hofstra, 7 p.m. • Sunday: Based on seeding, games from 9 a.m.
Joining the Rainbows (20-12) are California (29-9), Hofstra (7-14), Northwestern (6-6-1), Nittaidai 1 and Nittaidai 2.
CHEVRON INVITATIONAL
The first 50 fans entering today's first UH game (3 p.m. vs. California) will receive Chevron gas certificates.
Hawai'i coach Bob Coolen reached a milestone last week in a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep of Loyola Marymount. He reached career coaching victories No. 400 and No. 401. He is 401-245-1 in 11 seasons at UH.
Also, with Stacey Porter's nine home runs, she is tied for the school single-season record with Dana Degen (1999) and Cheyenne Thompson (1994). Porter also leads the team with a .351 batting average.
Outfielder Denise Dahlberg, the WAC Player of the Week two weeks ago, is second on the team in batting at .324. Shortstop Kate Judd (.320) has five home runs and 18 RBIs.
Leading the Rainbows pitching staff are Sheri Oronoz (12-2, 1.59 ERA) and Melissa Coogan (7-5, 1.99).
The tournament is a homecoming for two players on visiting teams.
California freshman infielder Kaleo Eldredge is from Baldwin High and Northwestern sophomore catcher J.C. Kira is from St. Francis School.
Eldredge, a two-time all-state selection and the 2001 position player of the year, leads the Golden Bears in batting (.357), runs (29) and stolen bases (7 of 8). She has started all of California's 38 games.
Kira, who batted .155 as a freshman, is second on the Wildcats in batting at .372. She has started all of her team's 13 games.
