TUCSON, Ariz.—Almost any win feels good, and comeback wins feel extra good.
A comeback win to snap a five-game losing streak feels giddy-good.
Markie Okamoto ripped a double to right centerfield in the top of the seventh, putting the final touches on a rally that saw the Vulcans erase a 4-0 deficit for a 6-4 win over West Texas A&M on Thursday afternoon at the Cactus Classic.
The Vulcans, who lost earlier in the day to Western New Mexico, improved to 2-5 on the year. The Lady Buffs, who shutout powerhouse Colorado Mesa this morning, fell to 5-3.
UH Hilo trailed 4-0 through four innings and they didn't get their first hit until the fifth inning.
Earlier, Ruby Salzmar hit a grand slam home run for the Lady Buffs. Salzmar, the No. 9 hitter in the order, took advantage of three ducks on the pond to blast the grand slam in the second inning—which was her first home run of the year, AND her first hit.
Meanwhile, West Texas A&M pitcher Kyra Lair was making life rough for Vulcan hitters, as she had done earlier in the day when she two-hit Colorado Mesa. She had a no-hitter through four innings.
The Vulcans finally broke through in the fifth, when
Brinell Kaleikini became UHH's first base runner after lashing a single.
Skylar Thomas followed with a walk, and freshman
Kamalei Labasan roped a double down the rightfield line to bring home Kaleikini to cut the lead to 4-1.
It got more interesting after
Kiarra Lincoln led off the top of the sixth with a home run over the centerfield fence to make it 4-2. One batter later, Lair was done for the day. Kaleikini then reached base again after getting hit by a pitch, and Thomas followed with a walk. Vesesi Liilii then singled up the middle to pull her team within a run, 4-3.
The momentum switch went complete in the seventh. Labasan singled to right field, and Lincoln was walked.
Kimberly Olivas made the Lady Buffs pay with a single past third base, scoring Labasan to tie the game at 4-4.
Okamoto was next, lofting a ball between two fielders in right-center, sending Lincoln and Olivas scampering home for the 6-4 lead and eventual win.
Leah Gonzales, who had had given up just four hits through six innings, allowed one runner in the seventh but was able to wrap up the win. In seven innings, she gave up five hits, four walks and fanned five.
Labasan had two of UHH's seven hits, with an RBI, and a double.
The Vulcans continue play on Friday with two more games at Lincoln Park with a 12:30 pm contest versus Southern Nazarene, followed by a 5:30 pm encounter with St. Mary's TX.
