Rainbow Wahine strive for consistency against Nevada

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Through hail and high wind, slumps and surges, these are the roller-coaster Rainbow Wahine.

"Saturday, we got the ball to bounce our way in the first game and took it right into the second game," said junior Stacey Porter, first in WAC hitting (.433), hits, total bases and doubles. "Sunday, it was totally different. I think we didn't quite wake up yet. We came out with a different mentality."

Hawai'i (21-16) plays WAC series the next three weekends at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Nevada, 17-20 in its first year, is here for doubleheaders today (6 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m.). The Wolf Pack lost three one-run games to San Jose State last week.

The Rainbow Wahine have upset three ranked teams this season (Texas, California and Oregon State). They won as many games in Fresno Saturday as they had in their history, with pitchers Melissa Coogan and Paula Blanning giving up just one run. It was Blanning's first collegiate victory.

But UH has not been able to build on its success. Even freshman Ashley Ruff, now starting for injured second baseman Noelle Izumi, knows her new team is searching for stability.

"Coach says we've been a bit of a roller-coaster team — not found the fire on every occasion," Ruff says. "Saturday, we found the fire."

Sunday, Fresno doused it to tie UH for third in the WAC at 2-2. The Bulldogs dropped out of the Top 25 this season for the first time in the ranking's 20-year history, but are still favored to win their sixth WAC title in seven seasons.

Nevada is a mystery. Its pitching staff is made up of two freshmen and a transfer from Amsterdam. It is third in WAC batting at .263, just behind the Rainbows' .268, but lost leading hitter Brittany Lorenzen 16 games into the season.

Hawai'i's roster is also shrinking. Freshmen Hannah Butler and Alana Power are lost for the season. Tara Harbert (hip) and Izumi (broken jaw) were hurt on the last trip and are doubtful this week.

Nothing is wrong with Porter. She tied Dana Degen's career record with her 29th home run, against Fresno.

Teammate April Crowell, a two-time WAC Player of the Week, is second in the conference with nine homers this season. Coogan (16-9) leads the WAC in wins, but wonders about her team.

"Saturday, everybody knew going in we were going to win," Coogan said. "After we won the first game, we knew we'd win the second. They saw our best side that day.

"But the biggest problem is that we play really up and down. If we're not as intense as we should be any team can beat us. That showed against Fresno. The second day we were obviously not playing well. They gave us what we deserved."

SHORT HOPS: Former Rainbow Wahine pitcher Janelle (Gonzales) Lockwood gave birth to her first child last Wednesday. She is married to former Rainbow libero Russell Lockwood. Haley Marie Lockwood weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces at birth and, according to Russell, "has nice long setter's fingers." ... The winner of softball's regular season is the WAC champion and earns the conference's automatic NCAA bid. ... Louisiana Tech, picked to finish last in the Preseason Coaches Poll, leads the WAC after beating Tulsa twice in extra innings to open conference play. ... Fresno State gave coach Margie Wright her 900th school victory Sunday against UH. Wright is the NCAA's winningest coach. ... UH's Bob Coolen got his 500th victory earlier this season. He has coached 17 seasons, 12 at UH. ... San Jose State's Dee Dee Enabenter-Omidji got her 500th victory last week. ... Hawai'i will fly nearly 26,000 miles this season — more if it qualifies for the NCAA Tournament. ... Fresno State was 10-0 in WAC openers until last week.