College softball: Rebecca Lee drives UH-Hilo past Minot State

Rebecca Lee kept up her torrid start to the season Saturday at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas.

Rebecca Lee kept up her torrid start to the season Saturday at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas.

Lee, a senior shortstop, finished 2 for 2 with two doubles and two RBIs as the University of Hawaii at Hilo softball team beat Minot State 8-2.

Melanie Morelos drove in three runs for the Vulcans (3-4), who received a strong performance from pitcher Ashley Nelson. The junior struck out five in a complete game, allowing five hits, two runs and two walks.

Late Saturday, the Vulcans beat Fort Lewis College 14-6.

Lee, the preseason Pacific West Conference Player of the Year, had an even bigger day Friday as the Vulcans split two games on the opening day of the tournament.

Lee and Brandi Wilson homered as the Vulcans beat New Mexico Highlands 14-4 in a TKO. Lee and Tianalia Faasua each collected three hits and three RBIs, and Brittany Huff was 2 for 3 and drove in three runs for UH-Hilo (2-3).

Hannah Peterson (2-1) struck out five and and allowed 11 hits in the five-inning complete game victory. She yielded two home runs to Highlands (2-3).

Earlier, Lee drove in six runs with a homer and three more hits in a 12-11 loss to West Region powerhouse Humboldt State University (5-0), which rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Emily Greene also went deep for the Vulcans, but all four of the pitchers used by coach Jaime Wallin were ineffective.

Danielle Wilson (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.

At Las Vegas

Saturday

First game

UH-Hilo 100 421 x — 8 8 2

Second game

Fort Lewis 012 300 — 6 7 4

Friday

First game

UH-Hilo 104 113 1 — 11 10 1

Humboldt State 102 221 4 — 12 18 5

Second game

UH-Hilo 123 62 — 14 14 1

N.M. High 000 04 — 4 11 1