Posted on: Friday, April 16, 2004
It's 'statement' time for WAC champions
| • | WAC standings |
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
With defense of its Western Athletic Conference title pretty much diminished and an overall record that might not net a postseason berth, it has become gut-check time for the Hawai'i softball team.
The Rainbows (5-3, WAC, 23-22 overall) will travel to Tulsa for doubleheaders Sunday and Monday before playing doubleheaders at Nevada April 22 and 24. Splits are generally realistic goals on the road, but for UH it won't be enough if they want to finish strong.
"They can define their season," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "Do they want to be a .500 team or do they really want to make a statement right now. We've got four (WAC) series left. If we go 4-1 (in each series), that's 12-4. We need to define how we want to end our season."
The Rainbows, in third place and three game behind conference leader Fresno State and one behind second-place Tulsa, are in a hole they might not be able to dig out of, even if they finish strong. For one thing, the Bulldogs already took 3 of 4 from their closest preseason-predicted competition in UH. With national player of the year candidates in pitcher Jamie Southern (beat UH three times) and power-hitting shortstop Christina Clark (hit five home runs against UH), the Bulldogs are unlikely to falter against the other WAC schools.
Also, Tulsa and Nevada have revenge on their agenda, having both been swept in Hawai'i last year. Tulsa, two games back of Fresno State, still have two games left with the Bulldogs, so the Golden Hurricane has a realistic chance to win the title.
"We've got bull's eyes on the front and back of us," Coolen said. "We're the defending WAC champions and Tulsa wants that first or second-(place) monicker next to their name."
For most of the season, it has been junior right-handers Melissa Coogan (8-12, 2.50 ERA) and Shannon Tabion (14-7, 2.08) pitching for UH. But sophomore right-hander Paula Blanning (1-2, 1.06), who had UH's sole victory against Fresno State, is expected to get some starts on this trip. It will depend on how the opponents do against Coogan and Tabion, Coolen said.
Tulsa's ace is sophomore right-hander Maren Genow (16-3, 1.19), the WAC Pitcher of the Week. She threw three shutouts last week, including one against No. 13 Oklahoma. Like Fresno State, which used Southern three times against UH, Tulsa might use Genow the same way.
The Rainbows need to improve their offense. Only Stacey Ritter (.302) is batting over .300. Denise Dahlberg has popped a team-leading six home runs, while freshman Tyleen Tausaga leads the club with 10 doubles and 32 RBIs.
The Rainbows' final homestand of the season is April 30 and May 1 for doubleheaders against Louisiana Tech. They end the season at San Jose State the following week.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
