HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Longwood raced to a 3-0 lead after two innings, but Hawai'I scored eight unanswered runs to earn a come-from-behind, 8-3, victory Saturday afternoon on day two of the Pepsi Malihini Aloha Tournament at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
"The Hawai'i game was another one that got away from us," said head coach
Kathy Riley. "We were headed in the right direction with a 3-0 lead and playing well but couldn't sustain our momentum."
The Lancers utilized a quick start, as
Emily Murphy led off the first with a double down the left field line.
Megan Baltzell followed with a single, before
Glenn Walters recorded an RBI groundout to score Murphy.
Longwood (2-6) added to its lead in the top of the second inning, as
Jamie Barbour led off with her first home run of the season to left field. Two batters later,
Haleigh Kilby was able to get aboard with a single, before Murphy brought her home with a single up the middle.
Hawai'i (11-8) cut the lead to 3-1 in the home half of the inning with a solo home run from Rachel Lack, which marked the first hit of the game for the Rainbow Wahine.
Longwood chased Hawai'i starter Brittany Hitchcock after the second inning, as Hitchcock allowed three runs off five hits.
However, Kanani Aina Cabrales (6-5) posted a strong five innings of relief to pick up the win. She allowed just two hits and a walk to go along with seven strikeouts.
Following a scoreless top half of the third, the Rainbow Wahine plated five runs in the home half of the inning. Hawai'i sent all nine batters to the plate and scored five runs off three hits. Leisha Liilii notched a two RBI single that scored Keiki Carlos and Tayana Mata, before Ulu Matagiese hit a three-run blast for Hawai'i to take its first lead of the night.
Hawai'i added to its lead in the fifth inning, as Heather Morales hit the third long ball of the night for the Rainbow Wahine. The two-run homer to left field plated Carlos, who got on base with a leadoff single.
Longwood starter
Libby Morris (1-2) took the loss, tossing 3.0 innings, giving up six runs off four hits and three walks. Morris also notched two strikeouts.
Jenna Carnes came on in relief of Morris and allowed two runs off four hits and two walks, while striking out two.
"We'll keep working to find the answers to becoming a better team," Riley said.
Longwood concludes play in the Pepsi Malihini Aloha Tournament Sunday, as the squad will play a rematch against No. 18/19 Cal and San Jose State. The Lancers face Cal at 3 p.m. ET, before taking on the Spartans at 5:30 p.m. ET.
#GoWood
