The University of Hawai'i softball team went to great lengths to defeat No. 22 Fresno State, 7-4 in 16 innings and 2-1, yesterday in a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader at Fresno, Calif.

By taking two of three, the Rainbow Wahine (17-20, 5-4) earned their first-ever series in Fresno. The Bulldogs fell to 23-15 and 6-3.

"This is just a great feeling," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

The 'Bows squandered the opening game Friday, an outcome Coolen described as "my most devastating loss in 30 years."

But center fielder Kanani Pu'u-Warren's three-run blast helped the Rainbows win the longest game in the program's history.

Stephanie Ricketts, who pitched 12 1/3 innings of relief in the first game, then threw a five-hit complete game.

Of the marathon first game, Ricketts said, "that was real exciting. All I kept thinking was: 'Keep going.' "

Ricketts relied on outside pitches and change-ups in the first game. After the Bulldogs adjusted in the second game, she went with more inside pitches.

"She's our workhorse," Coolen said. "For a freshman, she has a lot of mound presence."