LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to Hawai'i on Friday at Triton Softball Field. The Tritons moved to 18-23 overall and 7-12 in Big West play after tallying six hits, including three for extra bases and a home run, but were unable to overcome Hawai'i's timely hitting.

HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego and Hawai'i traded early opportunities before the game shifted in the middle innings. Hawai'i struck first in the third inning with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. The Tritons answered in the bottom half when Zara Wasserman delivered an RBI double to score Marley Espiau and even the score at 1-1.

Hawai'i regained the lead in the fourth inning, using a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt to set up an RBI single that made it 2-1.

The Rainbow Wahine added an insurance run in the fifth, capitalizing on a two-out opportunity with an RBI triple to extend the lead to 3-1.

UC San Diego responded in the sixth inning when Maalia Cherry launched a solo home run to deep left field, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and setting up a tight finish.

The Tritons threatened in the seventh. Gianna Ioja was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and a fielding error put runners at second and third with no outs. UC San Diego was unable to capitalize, however, stranding the tying run to end the game.

TRITON TIDBITS

• Zara Wasserman recorded two doubles and drove in UC San Diego's first run
• Maalia Cherry finished with two hits, including her home run in the sixth inning
• Callie Howard threw 107 pitches (72 strikes), striking out two and walking one

UP NEXT
UC San Diego continues its Big West series against Hawai'i on April 18 at Triton Softball Field. The Tritons will play a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. and will honor their seniors following the second game. Both games will stream live on ESPN+, be broadcast on KSDT radio, and have live stats available on UCSDTritons.com.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.