Box Score (HTML)

HENDERSON, Nev. – Sharla Kliebenstein hit a grand slam to fuel a six-run first inning for Hawai`i as the Rainbow Wahine took down Portland State, 11-3, on Friday at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.

The Vikings (2-5) found themselves down by six after just six batters following a two-run double by Jessica Iwata and Kliebenstein's grand slam to left field. PSU had multiple chances to get back into the contest, but left the bases loaded in both the second and fourth innings, and stranded 13 runners in all.

Hawai`i, which improved to 8-0, chased Portland State starter Raya Johnson after just six batters, all of which scored. Anna Bertrand came on to stop the bleeding, getting out of the inning by sitting down three of the next four batters.

Bertrand kept the Rainbow Wahine in check for much of the next five innings, giving up just a solo shot to Kelly Majam in the fourth, but Hawai`i finally got to her in the top of the seventh. UH strung together four-straight run-scoring hits at one point to extend its lead to 11-0.

Portland State didn't go down quietly, though. Karmen Holladay blasted the first pitch of the seventh over the left field fence to break up Kaia Parnaby's shutout bid, and with two outs, Alicia Fine tripled to right field to score Alexa Morales. Sadie Lopez followed by hitting a ball to deep center field, but it landed just below the top of the fence and she had to settle for a RBI-double. That was all the Viks got after Jenna Krogh lined out to third base to end the game.

In a complete-game performance, Parnaby upped her record to 3-0 after giving up 10 hits, one earned run and two walks to go along with six strikeouts.

Bertrand allowed five runs, eight hits and two walks, while striking out seven over seven innings. Johnson took the loss in her first collegiate start.

Kliebenstein finished with two hits and five RBIs, while Iwata and Leisha Liilii both batted 2-for-4.

Holladay recorded her second two-hit game in as many days and her homer was her second of the season. Crysta Conn hit 2-for-4 with a double, and Fine also went 2-for-4 in the first start of her career.

The Vikings play twice tomorrow, taking on Utah at 11:15 p.m., and Texas Tech at 3:45 p.m. Both games can be heard on GoViks.com and live stats will also be available.

NOTES: Holladay registered her team-leading fourth multi-hit game. She leads the squad with a .429 average ... Fine's first hit as a Viking was a single up the middle in the fourth ... PSU has left 23 runners on base the past two games. The 13 they stranded today was the most since they left 14 on against Saint Mary's on May 15, 2010 ... Hawai`i received votes in both top 25 polls this week ... UH leads the all-time series with PSU, 12-6, and has won the past four meetings ... the Rainbow Wahine are now batting .341 with 10 home runs on the year ... the game was played at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park in Henderson.