Rainbow Wahine's Ritter a diamond in the rough

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Stacey Ritter got an opportunity to play after Australian countrywoman Stacey Porter skipped this season to play in the Olympics. The previous two seasons Ritter mostly cheered her teammates from the bench. The junior has a 3.67 GPA and can gain a fourth year of eligibility if she grad-uates by December in family resources. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser Hawai'i Invitational WHO: Hawai'i (15-14), No. 23 Texas (15-9), No. 4 California (27-3), Utah (7-15), Norhtwestern (12-4), Nittaidai (na), Tokyo W.C.P.E. (na). WHERE: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium TICKETS: Admission is free PARKING: $3 RADIO: None TV: KFVE channel 5 will televise Friday's UH games and Sunday's UH game live. SCHEDULE: Tomorrow: Texas vs. California, noon; Utah vs. California, 2 p.m. Nittaidai vs. Tokyo W.C.P.E, 4 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Utah, 6 p.m. Friday: Texas vs. Nittaidai, 9 a.m.; California vs. Nittaidai, 11 a.m., Tokyo W.C.P.E vs. Utah, 1 p.m.; Northwestern vs. Utah, 3 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Tokyo W.C.P.E, 5 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Northwestern, 7 p.m. Saturday: Utah vs. Texas, 9 a.m.; California vs. Northwestern, 11 a.m.; Texas vs. Tokyo W.C.P.E, 1 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. California, 3 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Nittaidai, 5 p.m.; Northwestern vs. Nittaidai, 7 p.m. Sunday: Nittaidai vs. Utah, 9 a.m.; Tokyo W.C.P.E. vs California, 11 a.m.; Northwestern vs. Texas, 1 p.m.; Hawai'i vs. Texas, 3 p.m., Tokyo W.C.P.E vs. Northwestern, 5 p.m.

After sitting behind All-America selection Porter the past two seasons, Ritter has made the most of her chance to play, leading the team with a .351 batting average and tying for the team lead with three home runs. Her 18 RBIs is second on the team to freshman Tyleen Tausaga's 20, as the Rainbows (15-14) prepare for the eight-team Hawai'i Invitational, which starts tomorrow.

"Individually, I'd say I'm satisfied with my performance, but you can always do better," she said. "My expectations are a little higher, but as far as the team goes, I'd hope we can improve on our .500 performance."

But Porter's departure didn't guarantee Ritter a job. Coach Bob Coolen met with Ritter after last season to discuss her future.

"I told her when she came back in the fall, she would have to prove something because Stacey (Porter) wasn't going to play in the fall," Coolen said. "She came back, totally had changed her swing. (She) just came out with a whole different attitude and had a great fall. Even though I wouldn't say she's one of our more refined hitters — she still has a lot of bad habits — she gets the job done."

What really pleases Coolen is Ritter's attitude. He said even when she wasn't playing the past two seasons, she was the one always cheering her teammates.

But some of Ritter's best performances are off the field.

Because of eligibility issues, she said she had to attend a university in Australia before she could transfer to UH. Although listed as a junior, this was scheduled to be her last season. But if she graduates by December, she will have her fourth season restored. She has since accelerated her pace; she took 18 credits in the fall and has 15 credits now. She plans to attend summer session and finish her remaining credits in the fall so she can graduate on time.

"It was a challenge, but good fun," said Ritter, a family resources major with a 3.67 GPA.

Coolen is pleased with the way Ritter has progressed on and off the field and how she handled pressure created by Porter's success.

"She came in with a great attitude, became our biggest cheerleader on the bench, but not really get a chance to play. And that bothered her after two years," Coolen said. "The timing and everything just helped her out because it did give her that opportunity. We sat down because she wasn't going to come back for her fourth year of eligibility because the amount of credits she needed was overwhelming, but she's tackled it with no problem. (She has an) incredible book-sense, as well as a good personality. She's a great kid."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.