HONOLULU – The Utah Valley University softball concluded its first-ever trip to Hawaii with a 6-4 setback to the University of Hawaii in Sunday's Bank of Hawaii Invitational finale.
 
With UVU (4-12) holding to a 4-2 lead in the fifth, Hawaii's Nicole Lopez hit out a clutch go-ahead three-run home run to left center to put the Rainbow Wahine (10-7) on top for good.

"It wasn't our best weekend," head coach Nikki Palmer said. "We will be looking to make some impactful changes moving forward."
 
The Wolverines broke a scoreless tie in the third when Brianna Gatlin and Morgan Smith came through with a pair of RBI singles to give UVU a 2-0 advantage. Following back-to-back singles from Dynasty Lauvai and Jaymee Lawton, Tiani Hensley dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position. With one out and runners on second and third, Gatlin then singled through the left side to plate Lauvai. Smith immediately followed with an infield single to bring in Lawton and give UVU the early two run lead.
 
Hawaii countered back with a run of its own in the last of the third and another in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. The Wolverine offense then once again produced two more runs in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. After a leadoff double by Gatlin and a bunt single by Smith, Brittney Vansway drove in both runners with a two-run double to right center to give UVU a two run cushion.
 
Utah Valley's lead didn't last long however, as Lopez delivered the go-ahead homer for the 'Bows in the bottom of the fifth.
 
UH then added an insurance run in the sixth and Kanani Aina Cabrales retired the Wolverines in order in the seventh to preserve the win for Hawaii.
 
Aina Cabrales (6-2) pitched the final three innings of the ballgame to earn the victory for the 'Bows, while Kellee Ramsey (1-3) was saddled with the loss after giving up two earned runs on six hits in four-plus innings of work.
 
Despite suffering the loss, four players finished with multiple hits in the contest for the Wolverines, as Lauvai and Lawton each went 2-for-3 with a run scored while Gatlin and Smith both went 2-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored.
 
Lopez led the Rainbow Wahine by going 2-for-2 with four runs batted in and a run scored.
 
Gatlin, Hensley, Smith and Taleigh Williams were all named to the Bank of Hawaii Invitational All-Tournament Team following the game. Gatlin led the group by hitting an even .400 (6-for-15) with three doubles, three RBIs, six runs scored, four walks and a home run at the tournament.
 
Earlier on Sunday, the Wolverines found themselves on the wrong end of a one-run ballgame to Portland State. UVU dropped the contest, 4-3, despite a seventh-inning home run from Lauvai.
 
Utah Valley will continue preseason tournament play at the San Diego Classic I March 4-6 in San Diego, California. There, the Wolverines will face No. 16 Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Illinois-Chicago, Boston University and Saint Joseph's.  
 
Bank of Hawaii Invitational All-Tournament Team
Bree Celaya, Portland State
Taleigh Williams, Utah Valley
Ulu Matagiese, Hawai'i
Keiki Carlos, Hawai'i
Brianna Gatlin, Utah Valley
Alyssa Burk, Portland State
Heather Cameron, Hawai'i
Tiani Hensley, Utah Valley
Morgan Smith, Utah Valley
 
Most Valuable Player: Kortney Kraker, Portland State
Most Outstanding Pitcher: Kanani Aina Cabrales, Hawai'i