HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The University of Hawai`i softball team (11-10, 0-0 Big West) fell to James Madison, 6-0 on the final day of the Jack in the Box Spring Fling Tournament. Loie Kesterson suffered the loss for Hawai'i with a complete-game effort, dropping her record to 5-3.
The Dukes posted one run in the top of the second on a Jailyn Ford solo home run to go up, 1-0.
Hawai'i threatened to score in the bottom of the first, with two runners on and no outs, but JMU settled down to get a fielder's choice at second, a flyout to center and a groundout back to the pitcher to thwart UH's rally.
James Madison added another run in the top of the third inning. The Dukes loaded the bases on back-to-back singles and a fielding error on a bunt. Erica Field then hit a grounder to short, but Jaramillo's only play was to first, which allowed Madyson Morris to score to give JMU a 2-0 lead.
The Dukes extended their lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth on Ford's second home run of the day. It was a two-run shot over the right-centerfield fence that drove in pinch runner Caitlin Viafora. JMU added another two runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer by Caitlin Sandy to leftfield.
Hawai'i had at least one runner on base in every inning except the fifth, but the Dukes' defense was able to stymie the 'Bows on offense. UH got both leadoff runners on in the sixth and seventh innings, but in both innings, JMU was able to turn a ground out, double-play to erase the runner.
Kesterson threw four-and-a-third innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Heather Morales fired the final two-and-two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on two hits with two walks and two strike outs.
Hawai'i had five hits in the game-one each from Lindsey Willmon, Kayla Wartner, Keiki Carlos and Ula Reis-Moniz. Carlos kept her six-game hitting streak alive. She has also reached base safely in the last nine consecutive games. Reis-Moniz's pinch-hit single was the first of the freshman's career.
The Rainbow Wahine have two days off before beginning play in their final non-conference tournament of the season, the Pepsi Rainbow Wahine Classic which runs from March 12-15. BYU, James Madison, No. 2/5 Oregon, and Valparaiso will all be heading to Honolulu for the tourney.