Senior catcher Makenna Young’s run-scoring double during the bottom of the first inning provided the Cal Poly softball program the initial lead during Friday’s series opener versus Hawai’i, but the Rainbow Wahine scored three times in the second and received a leadoff homer from first baseman Callee Heen to open the fifth en route to a 6-1 victory versus the Mustangs at Bob Janssen Field.
After Cal Poly sophomore starting righthander Dakota Casper (1-5) stranded two Hawai’i baserunners to close the top of the first, Young followed a one-out single from sophomore center fielder Noellah Ramos with her run-scoring double to left center field.
Hawai’i, however, overtook Cal Poly at the first opportunity. After third baseman Mikaela Gandia-Mak and left fielder Jennifer Iseri opened the second with successive singles, catcher Heather Cameron produced a run-scoring double to tie the game. Shortstop Chardonnay Pantastico next reached on a Mustang fielding error to plate Gandia-Mak before center fielder Britnee Rossi added an RBI single to hand Hawai’i a 3-1 advantage.
After conceding Hawai’i’s opening three runs, Casper retired six of the next seven Rainbow Wahine hitters faced before Heen lined the first pitch of the fifth inning over the center field wall.
Cameron closed the scoring with a two-run double in the top of the seventh.
Following Young’s first-inning double, Cal Poly was limited to three hits during the final six innings by Hawai’i starter Brittany Hitchcock (11-5).
Cal Poly and Hawai’i conclude the three-game series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, April 6.
–Provided by Cal Poly
