Ex-Raider Powers UH Wahine

Jessica Iwata

Playing a huge role in the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine softball team’s march to the College World Series was Jessica Iwata, a freshman shortstop out of Kaua’i High. Wearing No. 1, as she did for the Raiders, the 5-foot-4 Lihue native came up big in UH’s Super Regional upset win over No. 1-ranked Alabama, blasting a grand slam home run in the second game that helped the Wahine tie the series at 1-1.

It was her earlier home run in the WAC tournament that gave Hawaii the national home run record (135 then and still counting). Going into the World Series in Oklahoma City, Iwata was batting .379 for the season with 18 home runs, 58 RBI and 65 runs scored. Also on the 21-player UH roster are redshirt freshman Jocelyn Enrique of Anahola (Kapa’a High) and freshman Jori Jasper (KHS). Expect them to have expanded roles next season.