Hawai'i
Mustangs Come Back in Seventh to Take Series Opener at Hawai'i, 6-4
4/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Trailing for the entirety of Friday night, the Cal Poly softball program produced the winning margin in the top of the seventh inning at Hawai'i as a two-out grounder from senior Shea Williams (right) was misplayed by Rainbow Wahine third baseman Kaile Nakao – a miscue that allowed pinch runner Cami Brown to score as the Mustangs earned an eventual 6-4, series-opening win.
During a matchup that featured three rain delays at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, Cal Poly freshman right fielder Courtney Tyler led off the seventh inning with a single up the middle before giving way to Brown. Starting righthander Sierra Hyland (20-7) followed with a successful sacrifice and, two batters later, Williams lashed a grounder that went through Nakao's legs as the third baseman was moving toward her left. Brown raced from second and, sliding, beat the outfield throw for a 5-4 Cal Poly advantage.
Cal Poly (23-16, 5-5) went on to load the bases against Hawai'i starting lefthander Loie Kesterson (10-10) and senior center fielder Lauren Moreno helped produce the final scoreline by drawing a walk to bring home freshman pinch runner Taylor Yzaguirre.
The victory was Cal Poly's first in five meetings against Hawai'i since March 25, 1995 and the program's first win the state of Hawai'i.
Trailing 2-0 after wild pitches from Hyland allowed Hawai'i to score in the first and third innings, Cal Poly halved the Rainbow Wahine lead in the top of the fourth as senior third baseman Jillian Andersen singled up the middle to plate senior catcher Mariah Cochiolo.
Hawai'i (19-20, 4-6) its two-run cushion with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but Cal Poly scored twice more in the top of the fifth through another Rainbow Wahine error at third base. This time it was committed by Kristina Akiona, who allowed a low Cochiolo grounder to glance off her glove and help Tyler and Hyland score as Cal Poly closed to a 4-3 deficit.
The Mustangs eventually tied the matchup in the sixth as Moreno singled into center fielder to bring home senior second baseman Ashley Romano.
Despite walking eight Rainbow Wahine batters, Hyland struck out six and, facing a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the bottom of the sixth, forced an inning-ending flyout from Hawai'i designated player Keiki Carlos to allow Cal Poly the chance at victory.
With the win, Hyland became just the third player in Mustang program history to chalk up 20 victories in a single season.
The Mustangs and Rainbow Wahine close their three-game set with a 5 p.m. PT/2 p.m. HT doubleheader on Saturday, April 18.
