Madness has its methods, and the proof was the University of Hawai'i's stunning 8-5 softball victory over sixth-ranked Oklahoma last night at Rainbow Wahine Stadium.

It was the season opener for both teams.

"Everyone was looking at me like, 'Why are you playing Oklahoma first?' " UH coach Bob Coolen said. "What we thought is we wanted to go from Oklahoma to Oklahoma. That's our season, in a nutshell."

The NCAA World Series will be held in Oklahoma City.

The Rainbow Wahine's improbable first step was ushered by third baseman Clare Warwick's three-run homer, right fielder Tanisha Milca's two-run shot, and Courtney Baughman's gritty pitching.

Baughman was elevated to the No. 1 role in the rotation when Olympian Justine Smethurst opted to remain in Australia. Baughman has a new look (dark hair) and renewed outlook after fully recovering from an injury to her right (pitching) arm. Instead of surgery, Baughman opted for stretching exercises and cutting back on upper-body weight training.

"I'm feeling a lot better," Baughman said.

Baughman surrendered 10 hits, including designated hitter Katie Norris' two-run homer in the fifth that made it 3-0. But she induced a key popup, stranding two runners in the fifth, and struck out Norris with a hic-cupping changeup on the game's final pitch.

"I've been working on (the changeup)," Baughman said. "I love it."

Catcher Katie Grimes usually calls all of the pitches, but on that one, she ceded the decision to Coolen.

"Whenever Katie looks at me and gives me the old nod, it's like, 'You call the pitch,' " Coolen said. "I'm not afraid to throw (Baughman's) changeup at that time."

The situation appeared to be dire when the Rainbows fell behind 3-0 against All-America lefthander D.J. Mathis.

Mathis' success is based on owning the plate with inside risers. The downside is the strategy leaves her vulnerable to hitting batters; she conked 38 batters last season.

Amanda Tauali'i was struck to open the bottom of the fifth. One out later, Milca blasted a towering drive over the fence in left field.

Milca credited her offseason weight training and a new pink-colored bat.

"I like to call it salmon," she said, smiling. "I get picked on because I'm like this tough, rugged girl who doesn't like pink."

During fall training, Milca used an Easton bat from the 2007 season. Many of the players felt the 2008 bats lacked "springiness."

"I asked Bob if there were any bats similar to the '07 bats," Milca said. "He told me about this new pink, I mean, salmon bat. It's just like the '07 bat."

The bat is 34 inches in length, and weighs 25 ounces. "It's a two-piece bat," she said. "It has a nice pop."

After Milca's homer, Mathis plunked Malama Manuma. Warwick followed with her third hit in as many at-bats, an infield single to deep short. That was Mathis' final pitch.

Kirsten Allen replaced Mathis, and induced Melissa Gonzalez to hit a grounder. But Warwick outraced the throw to second, loading the bases.

Audrey Andrade then hit a dribbler. Manuma beat third baseman Dani Dobbs' throw to the plate.

Julie Franklin then was struck by a pitch, making it 4-3, and Kanani Pu'u-Warren's fielder's choice grounder brought in UH's fifth run.

Warwick's opposite-field homer to right provided enough security for the Rainbows.

"We rehearse so much in practice, it become second nature," Warwick said. "When you see a ball high and out, you just go with it. All of that hard work paid off."

Warwick wore No. 20 when the new order of uniforms did not include the No. 31 that she had worn during her first three UH seasons.

"I guess they didn't pack it or make it," Warwick said. "I'm not complaining."

While Warwick did not have her old number, she certainly had Oklahoma's number. She finished 4 for 4.

Even if the No. 31 jersey were to appear, Coolen mused, "I'm not bringing it out again."

Of No. 20, Warwick said, "I've been told by pretty much everyone that's my new number."

The Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic continues today with four games. Oklahoma plays UAB at 1 p.m. and Louisiana State at 3 p.m.

The Rainbows play UAB at 5 p.m. and LSU at 7 p.m.

Bracket games are tomorrow, with the tournament championship scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

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