Hawaii Rainbow Warriors announces Keliinoi Blasts Three-Run, Walk-Off Homer To Down Santa Clara, 6-3
From March 03, 2023 post.
HONOLULU—University of Hawai'i softball player Ka'ena Keliinoi blasted a three-run, walkoff home run to defeat Santa Clara, 6-3. Hawai'i improved to 11-6 overall with its fourth-straight win as the Rainbow Wahine scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh for the come-from-behind win on Day 2 of the Hawai'i Spring Fling Tournament on Friday night at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
Hawai'i starting pitcher Key-Annah Campbell-Pua and Santa Clara's Hazyl Gray were locked in a pitcher's duel through much of the game. Campbell-Pua earned the win to improve to 4-2 on the season with her fourth complete game. She allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Santa Clara's Allyson Ferreira drove an RBI single with two runs on to score Bailey McLaughlin to jump out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
With two outs and runners at the corners in the third, UH's Cira Bartolotti scored before Xiao Gin was tagged out in a pickle between first and second to tie the score at 1-1.
Rachel "Bueller" Sabourin launch a solo home run in the fifth to give the 'Bows a 2-1 lead. It was her fifth home run of the season and her career.
In the next half inning, Ferreira answered right back with a solo homer to knot the score at 2-2. In the top of the seventh the Broncos' Ashley Trierweiler lifted a solo home run to right to give the Broncos a 3-2 lead with half an inning to play.
The dramatic seventh inning began as Sabourin drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt executed by Cira Bartolotti. Pinch-hitter Princess Matavao kept things rolling with a single to left. Pinch-runner Jadyn Nielsen entered the game to run for Matavao at first and promptly stole second, pushing both runners into scoring position. Xiao Gin then drilled an opposite field shot that ricocheted off the third baseman to the third base fence for a double to drive in Bartolotti and leave two runners in scoring position. Keliinoi then battled at the plate fouling off two pitches at full count before blasting the walk-off, three-run home run. It marked her second round-tripper for the junior.
Santa Clara's Gray (3-3)also fired a complete game, allowing six runs on eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 6-1/3-innings pitched.
Hawai'i continues play in the Hawai'i Spring Fling Tournament on Saturday, March 4 at 6:00 p.m. HT.
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