MANOA, Hawaii - Chrys Hildebrand would not be denied a third straight quality start Friday night, tossing a complete game and setting a new career high with nine strikeouts against a Hawaii lineup that entered the weekend ranked third in the Big West with 95 hits.
Hildebrand rode 3.1 innings of no-hit softball and went on cruise control from there, as the Highlanders downed Hawaii 2-1 in the first of a three-game Big West series.
"It was so awesome to see the team connect and come together tonight," Highlanders head coach Nikki Palmer said. "The energy was outstanding from the beginning and they carried all the way through. Everyone contributed in some way and that's what pushed us over to get the win. The dugout in particular was excellent."
Hildebrand retired three of her first four batters in the Rainbow Wahine lineup, coming out of the gate with two quick strikeouts in the first inning. The Highlander defense retired the third batter via a lineout to Hawaiian-born Gigi Araki.
UCR put a run on the board first in the fourth inning, as Allison Troche recorded her third RBI of the season to bring Kennedi Sorensen home from third. Sorensen doubled for the team-high seventh time this year to lead off the inning.
Hildebrand recorded at least five strikeouts for the third straight game, racking up her third to get out of the second inning after Hawaii put a runner in scoring position. She reached the six strikeout mark after just three innings.
"Mentally, I wanted to come out strong and do everything I could to get my team in a place to win," Hildebrand said. "The two quick strikeouts really set a standard for myself and my team to reassure them I had their backs. With this year being so much different, I try to stay calm, keep faith in each of my teammates and accept what was happened, learn from it and move on."
Palmer changed up the Highlanders' lineup for the opening game on the islands, inserting Marissa Burk into the leadoff spot. The freshman made the most of it with a leadoff single to right on an 0-1 pitch, finishing the evening going 1 for 4 at the plate. Burk and Katherine Montuya extended their hitting streaks to five games apiece.
The hitting didn't stop there, though. As fate would have it, Araki recorded her third RBI of the season in her first game back home, singling to left in the sixth to bring in Briza Blanco.
"It was calming to be back on a familiar field in the environment I love," said Araki on returning to the islands. "The RBI gave me a sense of fulfillment. I've always wanted to play against UH as a college athlete, so the little girl in me is very proud."
