Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
Rebecca Lee kept up her torrid start to the season Saturday at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas.
Lee, a senior shortstop, finished 2 for 2 with two doubles and two RBIs as the University of Hawaii at Hilo softball team beat Minot State 8-2.
Melanie Morelos drove in three runs for the Vulcans (3-4), who received a strong performance from pitcher Ashley Nelson. The junior struck out five in a complete game, allowing five hits, two runs and two walks.
The Vulcans played Fort Lewis College on Saturday night in a game that ended after the Tribune-Herald’s deadline.
Lee, the preseason Pacific West Conference Player of the Year, had an even bigger day Friday as the Vulcans split two games on the opening day of the tournament.
Lee and Brandi Wilson homered as the Vulcans beat New Mexico Highlands 14-4 in a TKO. Lee and Tianalia Fa’asua each collected three hits and three RBIs, and Brittany Huff was 2 for 3 and drove in three runs for UHH (2-3).
Hannah Peterson (2-1) struck out five and and allowed 11 hits in the five-inning complete game victory. She yielded two home runs to Highlands (2-3).
Earlier, Lee drove in six runs with a homer and three more hits in a 12-11 loss to West Region powerhouse Humboldt State University (5-0), which rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Emily Greene also went deep for the Vulcans, but all four of the pitchers used by coach Jaime Wallin were ineffective.
Danielle Wilson (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.
“Clearly the offense was there,” Wallin said. “Whenever you can put double-digit runs together, you should be in good shape.
“Humboldt is a tough team on offense and they took advantage of mistakes in pitching and defense.”
The 32-team event is the nation’s largest NCAA Division II softball tournament hosted by one school.
At Las Vegas
Saturday
Minot State 100 100 0 — 2 5 2
UHH 100 421 x —8 8 2
Friday
First game
UHH 104 113 1 — 11 10 1
Humboldt St. 102 221 4 — 12 18 5
Second game
UHH 123 62 — 14 14 1
N.M. High. 000 04 — 4 11 1