IRVINE, Calif — University of Hawai‘i softball senior shortstop Jessica Iwata of Lihu‘e aided a scoring onslaught with a pair of home runs to help Hawai‘i remain undefeated in league action and earn Big West Softball Field Player of the
IRVINE, Calif — University of Hawai‘i softball senior shortstop Jessica Iwata of Lihu‘e aided a scoring onslaught with a pair of home runs to help Hawai‘i remain undefeated in league action and earn Big West Softball Field Player of the Week recognition on Monday.
Iwata blasted two of UH’s 11 home runs and hit .700 (7-for-10) in a series sweep of University of California, Riverside. The Rainbow Wahine outscored the Highlanders 36-3 over the three games and Iwata accounted for nearly one-third of the offense output, scoring six times while driving in five runs.
The shortstop opened the series with a season-high three runs scored in UH’s 16-0 win in five innings. She reached base safely in three of four plate appearances and drew an RBI walk. In game two, Iwata contributed to a 12-run first inning, launching a three-run home run – one of four round trippers in the inning. She finished 2-for-3 with a season-high three RBI.
In an 8-1 victory to complete the sweep and keep UH’s unbeaten Big West streak at nine straight, Iwata smashed another home run as part of a 3-for-4 day at the plate. The blast represented her second consecutive first inning home run and the three hits were a season-best.
It marked Iwata’s 51st home run of her career, which is second in the UH record book behind teammate Kelly Majam.
For the series, Iwata had a slugging percentage of 1.300 and had an on-base percentage of .727 for the week. Overall, Iwata is hitting .291 and in conference, she is hitting .370 (10-for-27) with 10 runs scored, two doubles, two home runs, and eight RBI.
Hawai‘i embarks on its third and longest roadtrip longest of the season this week. The ‘Bows first head to Cal State Fullerton for a three game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. Hawai‘i will then play its final non-conference game of the season at Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday before heading to San Luis Obispo, Calif. to battle Cal Poly in a three-game conference tilt beginning with a doubleheader on April 19 and ending with a single game on April 20.
