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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 6, 2003

'Bows' fortunes to rest on hitting

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

It's a good thing the University of Hawai'i softball team returns the two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the school's single-season home run record holder. The Rainbows might need all the runs they can produce.

Two-time WAC Player of the Year Kate Judd will be counted on to swing a hot bat to help make up for UH's lack of pitching depth.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Rainbows open the season in the five-team Chevron Paradise Classic, which opens today at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Hawai'i lost last season's winningest pitcher when senior Sheri Oronoz decided not to return to school. At 18-12, she accounted for more than half of the team's victories in a 35-25 season. But life goes on.

"Couple days before school started, she called and said she wasn't coming back," said UH coach Bob Coolen, who enters his 12th season. "We've picked up ourselves and we're moving on."

What helps the Rainbows are the return of senior shortstop Kate Judd, the conference's best player the past two seasons, and power-hitting junior first baseman Stacey Porter, who drilled a school-record 15 home runs last year. They represent the heart of the order, batting third and fourth, respectively.

"Offensively, we should be very strong," Coolen said.

The fifth through eighth spots also will feature returning starters in senior third baseman Trisha Ramos, junior designated player April Crowell, junior left fielder Marie Jackson and sophomore catcher Denise Dahlberg, who was an All-WAC outfielder last year.

There are three newcomers in the starting lineup. Sophomore Noelle Izumi, who played sparingly last year, will play second base and bat ninth. The crucial lead-off spot will go to freshman center fielder Hannah Butler, whose potential has impressed Coolen.

"She has speed and has the strongest arm in the outfield," he said. "She has a cannon. She's done some incredible things out there. She gets a tremendous jump on the ball. Right now, she can hit for power, put the ball down and beat the defense. That's what we're looking for."

Chevron Paradise Classic

• WHO: Hawai'i (0-0), No. 6 Washington (0-0), Louisville (0-0), Oklahoma State (0-0) and Santa Clara (2-3).

• When: Noon-8 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

• Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

• Parking: $3

• Tickets: No admission charge

• Schedule:

Today—Santa Clara vs. Washington, noon; Santa Clara vs. Louisville, 2 p.m.; Washington vs. Oklahoma State, 4 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Louisville, 6 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Oklahoma State, 8 p.m.

Tomorrow—Oklahoma State vs. Santa Clara, noon; Oklahoma State vs. Louisville, 2 p.m.; Washington vs. Louisville, 4 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Santa Clara, 6 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Washington, 8 p.m.

Sophomore Tracie Uchima, who also played sparingly last year, will bat second and play right field.

The Rainbows are going with just three pitchers, with sophomore right-handers Melissa Coogan and Shannon Tabion making most of the starts, Coolen said.

Last year, Coogan was 12-8 with a 2.18 ERA in 20 starts, while Tabion was 5-5 with a 2.09 ERA in 10 starts. Coolen said Coogan has improved on her outlook.

"Last year, she just went out there and threw a lot of games and that was evident in her eight losses and the number of home runs that she gave up," Coolen said. "I would attribute her 12 wins to actually understanding how to pitch in those games, becoming a little more focused."

Tabion simply got stronger in the offseason, Coolen said.

"She's gained about 2 or 3 more miles per hour on all of her pitches," he said.

Tabion said she worked out with her brother-in-law three times a week during the summer.

Freshman Paula Blanning, yet another of the Australian connection on the team with Judd, Porter and first baseman Stacey Ritter, is the third pitcher.

Coogan and Tabion realize the loss of Oronoz has a domino effect, but both are ready for the challenge.

"It definitely affected the team with her leaving, but I think that we've all pulled together when she left," Coogan said. "I think we're going to be pretty strong even without her. We just have people working extra hard."

Added Tabion: "Because we have only three pitchers, everyone has worked a lot harder. Everyone knows their roles."

Judd said the hitters will do their part to help the young pitching staff.

"We've got some big hitters," she said. "If we can all hit at the same time, we're going to be tough to beat. Our pitchers are still young and still improving. As hitters we have to do our job to give them something to feel comfortable with when they're on the mound."