By Matt Dearman

Sports Writer

Tech's softball team began a seven-game road trip Friday when they traveled to Hawaii to play a two-day series against the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine.

The Techsters (25-28, 8-7 WAC) took home two wins against Hawaii (26-31, 8-12 WAC), winning the first game in each of the double headers.

"[Hawaii] is a really strong, offensive team," Tech head coach Sarah Dawson said. "You have to give them credit."

The first game was ruled by defense as only six hits were recorded. The lone run came in the sixth inning when sophomore Mary Cohn connected with a two-out double to drive in Casey Reiff and give the Techsters the 1-0 edge.

Senior Marla Pinkston (15-15) pitched for the Techsters and picked up her 14th win of the year with a near-perfect shutout, allowing only one hit and one walk in seven innings.

Tech's offense recorded five hits in the game with Cohn leading the way with two hits. Bridget Broadnax, Amber Miles and Jessica Elson added the other three Techster hits.

In Friday's second game, Hawaii's pitching dominated as Shannon Tabion (15-9) allowed just two hits and one walk and struck out eight Techsters, while pitching the full seven innings. Reiff and Cohn accounted for Tech's only hits in the contest.

Lindsey Meadows was credited with the loss for Tech, allowing eight hits and three runs, all earned, in six innings.

Hawaii jumped to an early lead in the contest when catcher Denise Dahlberg hit a solo homerun in the first inning. The Rainbow Wahine added a pair of runs in the sixth inning to secure the game at 3-0.

Tech's offense came out strong Saturday, producing a run in the top of the first inning to take the reins early. The Techsters added additional runs in the third and fourth innings to claim a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Hawaii responded with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to send the game into the final inning with an even score.

Miles led off the seventh inning for the Techsters with a single and then stole second two batters later to get in scoring position with two outs. Broadnax and Cohn walked to load the bases for Jen LaRussa, who drove a two-RBI double into right field to give Tech a two-run lead.

Hawaii responded with another run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Tech's defense was able to suppress the comeback and come away with a 5-4 victory.

Pinkston was awarded the win after allowing 10 hits and four runs, all earned, in six and 2/3 innings.

Kristin Blodgette came in to relieve Pinkston in the seventh inning and picked up her third save, after forcing the only batter she faced into a double play.

Miles led Tech offensively with three hits and two runs, and LaRussa followed with three RBIs on two hits.

In the final game of the series, Hawaii's offense jumped on Tech early with five runs in the first two innings, and three of these runs came on a three-run homerun by Dahlberg in the second inning.

After the second inning, Tech's defense settled down and allowed only two more hits in the contest. The Techsters made a final attempt to overcome the deficit in the seventh inning, but their three-run effort was not enough as Tabion was able to hold the win.

Blodgette (3-5) received the loss for Tech after giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits.

Miles picked up four steals in the series to increase her conference leading total to 25 steals.

The Techsters will continue their road trip with games against San Diego State University, Fresno State University and Nevada University.

The Techsters will return home on May 13 and 15 for conference games against Texas-El Paso and San Jose, respectively, at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.