VIDEO: Softball gears up for opener

The 2019 season is nearly upon the Hawaii softball team.

UH will likely be tested, and then some, in the opening couple days of the season. The Rainbow Wahine begin against Georgia State at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Hawaii Paradise Classic at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. The next day, they’ll take on Texas-Arlington at 4:30 p.m., followed by UCLA (ranked No. 1 in one of the two primary polls, and No.2 in the other) at 7 p.m., or a little later, depending on how backed up the day’s games get.

The Wahine are led by sixth-year pitcher Brittany Hitchcock and senior third baseman Nicole Lopez — a two-time All-Big West first-teamer. Those two, plus head coach Bob Coolen, gave video interviews with the Star-Advertiser and KITV on Monday.

The Wahine went 23-27 last season, including 7-14 in the Big West. The Rainbow Wahine were recently picked to finish fourth in the Big West softball preseason coaches poll.