Rainbow softball team still chasing elusive postseason berth
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Just when it thought postseason was out of the picture, the Hawai'i softball team might have found a way to get back in the portrait.
The Rainbows, who thought a split at Portland State two weeks ago ended their regional hopes, discovered they still have a chance for the postseason after other teams vying for at-large berths started struggling the past couple weeks. But they need to win at least three, or better yet, sweep, a four-game Western Athletic Conference series against Tulsa. Doubleheaders are set for 5 tonight and 2 p.m. tomorrow at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
"Two-and-two won't do it," said UH coach Bob Coolen, a member of the selection advisory committee. "We have to finish (alone in) second."
The Rainbows (33-23 overall, 13-7 WAC) are tied for second with the Golden Hurricane (46-14, 13-7). Although both teams still have a mathematical chance to share a tie for the conference title with Fresno State (48-17, 17-5), it's unlikely the Bulldogs will get swept by San Jose State over the weekend to clinch the title solely.
The NCAA regional selections are at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
For the Rainbows, the excitement they lost after splitting against Portland State has returned.
"It's great," UH second baseman Natalie Gonzales said. "It's a little surprising, thinking one minute you're not going anywhere and the next minute you are. It's getting everybody pumped up. We're ready to play this series."
The series also is the last homestand for three UH seniors. Gonzales, left fielder Stacie Hirano and catcher Jennifer Tandarich — all four-year letter winners — will bow out after tomorrow's doubleheader.
Here's their story:
Natalie Gonzales
Coming out of Lincoln High in Stockton, Calif., it was pretty much a no-brainer where Gonzales was heading. It was the East Coast with Auburn or Villanova. Or it was paradise and relatives on hand.
After spending her first two seasons as a reserve, Gonzales established herself as the starting second baseman, garnering All-WAC first-team honors, as well as All-West Region first team and Easton All-America second team. She batted .336 with 30 runs and stole 11 of 11 bases.
Entering the weekend series, Gonzales was batting .294.
She will graduate next spring with a degree in psychology, then will return to California.
• Career highlight: "Becoming a full-time starter. Pretty much my junior year. That whole year was a good year for me."
Stacie Hirano
The left-handed hitting left fielder also established herself as a starter as a junior, when she hit .281 and earning All-WAC second-team honors.
Out of Waiakea High on the Big Island, Hirano was recruited by UH, UH-Hilo and Hawai'i Pacific. That she was recruited was a pleasant surprise.
"I wasn't expecting it," she said. "It was a dream to go to college and play ball. When it happened it all paid off."
Hirano will graduate next spring with a business degree in finance.
• Career highlight: "Getting a home run" against Northwestern on March 25 in the Hawai'i Invitational. "That was something. I don't swing for the fence, obviously. It kept going and when it went (over the fence), it was like, 'Wow.' I was really shocked."
Jennifer Tandarich
The best recruiter in getting the San Diego native to UH was her parents.
"I love Hawai'i," Tandarich said. "My family has always vacationed out here. I've been here at least 10 times before I came to school."
She even turned down San Diego State and USC to become a Rainbow, a move she does not regret. Like her fellow seniors, she said the fans are the best reason to play for UH.
"The fans are awesome," she said. "You know they're going to be there for you, no matter how you're playing, good or bad. Hopefully, we always put on a good show for them."
Tandarich also will graduate next spring with a degree in psychology.
• Career highlight: "Making it to the championship game in the regionals my freshman year. It was a great feeling. Hopefully we'll do it again this year. I know we can."
