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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, May 7, 2006

Blanning helps UH gain split

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

For her final softball game at Rainbow Wahine Stadium, University of Hawai'i pitcher Paula Blanning produced an impressive commencement exercise.

Blanning pitched a four-hitter, striking out six and not allowing a run after the first inning, in the Rainbow Wahine's 4-1 victory over Utah State.

The Aggies won the first game of the doubleheader, 2-1.

It was the final home game for Blanning and catcher Kristi Yoshizawa. This week, the Rainbows are competing in the Western Athletic Conference tournament, whose winner receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Regionals. They are not scheduled to return to Hawai'i until Sunday afternoon — too late for Blanning to participate in the UH commencement ceremony.

"This is my graduation right here," said Blanning, buried in lei, after yesterday's victory. "I probably wasn't going to walk anyway (at the UH commencement) because I heard it's really boring. (Softball) is why I'm (at UH). It's been awesome to have something like this."

The Aggies surprised the Rainbows in the first game. Leslie Higley, who entered 0-12, spaced seven hits, and catcher Sara Fleming slammed a two-run homer. The game ended when UH's Brandi Peiler crossed first base safely on a fielder's choice, but then was tagged out after the umpire ruled she had turned toward second base.

"I wasn't going to second," Peiler insisted. "I was actually trying to turn to go back to the base. I was surprised they called me out."

Before the second game, Yoshizawa said, "It was like, 'what are we doing?' We knew we had to step it up."

With UH down 1-0 in the first inning, Tyleen Tausaga was walked to load the bases for outfielder Tanisha Milca.

"After the first game (when Tausaga was walked intentionally), I talked to Tanisha," Tausaga recalled. "I told her, 'When they walk me like that, that means they have no respect for you. If I get on, you have to make them pay.'"

This time, Milca slammed a drive to center, scoring two runs. Later, Tausaga came home on Kaulana Gould's RBI groundout.

"I wanted to prove them wrong," Milca said. "Every time they walk Tyleen, I get upset, because it seems they think I can't hit."

Blanning made sure she preserved the lead, baffling the Aggies with a dancing change-up. She launches the pitch with a unique back-handed delivery. "I don't snap my wrist at all," she said. "I just release it."

Blanning, whose parents traveled from their home in Australia, hungered for a quick outcome. The UH boosters were cooking the hind quarter of pig for the post-game meal. "From the beginning of the first inning, I could smell it," she said, smiling.

Yoshizawa said: "That's one of the best things about playing here. The food is always good."

The dessert could come in the WAC tournament in Fresno. UH (9-7 in the WAC) could earn the third seed if it defeats Nevada (9-8) in a game that was suspended last week. The teams will meet Wednesday or Thursday in Fresno. As the third seed, UH would avoid a second-round game against WAC leader Fresno State.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.