Posted on: Friday, March 21, 2003

Home runs spark Pacific over Hawai'i in tourney

Advertiser Staff

Backed by two home runs, Natalie King scattered six hits and pitched out of two bases-loaded jams to lead Pacific to an 8-3 victory over the University of Hawai'i last night in the Hawai'i Invitational Softball Tournament at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Ashlie D'Errico had two hits, including a solo homer to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the third.

Brandy Thurman sparked a six-run fifth inning for Pacific with a grand slam for 7-0 lead.

The Rainbow rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Cathie Hacker, who managed to get one out, before King (9-3) returned to pitch the final 1° innings.

UH starter Melissa Coogan (12-5) gave up five runs on five hits in 4· innings to take the loss.

Both teams had eight hits, but the Rainbow Wahine stranded 14 runners on base.

Pacific improved to 16-11, while Hawai'i fell to 15-11.

In earlier games, Tokyo Women's College lost two games. losing to Ohio State, 7-2 in the opener and defeating Wisconsin, 5-3, in the second game.

Ashley Cutcliff hit a three-run homer in the first inning to lead Ohio State (14-6) to a victory over Tokyo Women's College in the first game. Chelesa Baker and Andrea Tribuzi combined on a five-hitter for the Buckeyes.

In the second game, Mandy Liles had four hits and Meghann Reiss had two hits and drove in two runs to lead Wisconsin (9-9) to a victory over Tokyo.

The tournament continues today with four games. At 1 p.m. Ohio State play Wisconsin, followed at 3 p.m. with Ohio State against Pacific. At 5 p.m., Hawai'i plays Tokyo Women's College, with Hawai'i coming back to play Wisconsin in the 7 p.m. nightcap.