Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Utah Tech softball opened up the 2023 season with two games in the Hawaii Tournament on Friday evening. The Trailblazers breezed past Saint Mary's by a 8-0 scoreline but finished off the day with a narrow 1-2 loss to Hawaii
 
The Trailblazers (1-1) pounded out 12 hits on the day and Sauren Garton got her first career win inside the circle.

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GAME ONE – Utah Tech 8, Saint Mary's 0
 
The Trailblazers and the Gaels each went scoreless in the opening inning, but then a three-run top of the second inning for the Trailblazers put the team on their way to the shutout victory.
 
The opening three runs were scored by Shea Clements, Lauren Almeida and LB Kahahawai-Kekona. Kekona's run was the first of her collegiate career in her first game played

From there the Trailblazers would go scoreless in the third inning after getting just one hit and two left on base. In the fourth inning the Trailblazer extended their lead when Carly Eldredge's single to center field helped advance Kekona home for her second run of the night.

Inning five would all but seal the deal for the Trailblazers with three runs off one hit. Lauren Almeida and Rachel Campbell were walked and Oaklee Trapp was hit by a pitch to get the bases loaded as Kekona stepped up to bat. Kekona singled to right field where she advanced on the throw and earned 2 RBI as Campbell and Almeida went home. The Trailblazers final run of the inning came from Eldredge getting another walk for Utah Tech that sent Oaklee Trapp home.

The fifth and sixth innings were strong defensive performances from the Trailblazers. They gave up just one hit and were able to keep the shutout headed into the seventh inning.

Kekona would add a second run to her inaugural game as a Trailblazer before the night was over. After doubling to left center, Tanya Windle would step up to the plate for another double which would send Kekona home. Her run was the eighth and final on the night for the Trailblazers in game one.
 

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GAME TWO – Utah Tech 1, Hawaii 2
 
It was a slow start for both sides in the Trailblazers second game of the day. In the opening two innings both sides had just one hit apiece and were unable to find any runs. Lockdown defense from these teams was the name of the game through the seven innings played.

The Trailblazers earned their lone run of game two off an error in the third inning. The run came from a fielding error forced by Shea Clements that forced all bases to advance and Tanya Windle was sent home. This would be the Trailblazers lone run of the second game.

Through innings four and five the Trailblazers continued to limit Hawaii's base appearances. They had just one hit through those two innings and it looked like the Trailblazers would go home with two wins on the day.
Then in the sixth inning, Hawaii found some firepower offensively. Maya Nakamura singled on the first pitch of the sixth inning. Following her up was a double from Dallas Millwood and a triple from Haley Johnson. Johnson's triple earned her two RBI and sealed the win for the Warriors.

In the seventh inning the Trailblazers tried to come back, but a double play of a Kekona hit would be enough to end the game, UT falling 2-1. 

 

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The Trailblazers will have another double header tomorrow with Saint Mary's and Hawaii. Game one versus Saint Mary's will start at 4 p.m. (MT) and game two against Hawaii at 8:30 (MT).