Aside from one pitch, Kanani Aina Cabrales was in command in the circle for the University of Hawaii softball team on Saturday.

But that one pitch and one swing by Virginia Tech catcher Katey Smith proved to be the difference in the Hokies’ 1-0 win at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Aina Cabrales was locked in a scoreless duel with Virginia Tech ace Maggie Tyler through five innings before Smith jumped on the first pitch in the sixth to deliver the decisive home run to left field and the Hokies completed a 5-0 run in the Hawaii Pacific Health Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Aina Cabrales, a Georgia Tech transfer, faced Virginia Tech last year in ACC play. On Saturday, she held the Hokies to six hits, walked none and struck out two. But Tyler countered by striking out 11 in her third shutout of the season as the Hokies (21-3) won their eighth straight while sending UH (17-13) to a fourth consecutive loss.

"Nani was pitching masterful," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "She wanted to pitch against this team because she had faced them before. So she had a little incentive, her ball was moving. I let her know earlier today she was going to pitch … and she was just waiting for that call and she was fresh.

"I give (Virginia Tech) a lot of credit. One pitch, one hit, boom."

The Rainbow Wahine close the tournament on Sunday against Columbia. The finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. at RWSS.

Virginia Tech packed up for the trip home having allowed just two runs in five games this week, while UH’s scoring struggles continued. UH pitchers have a combined 2.00 earned-run average in the tournament, but the offense has produced four runs in four games.

"We just have to turn the tide," Coolen said. "We’ve had some good pitching performances and it’s just not enough right now."

After striking out 12 UH batters on Thursday, Tyler entered the rematch ranked eighth in the country with 10.9 strikeouts per seven innings. She finished just about on that number while holding off UH scoring threats.

Sarina Jaramillo doubled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, but was stranded at third. Kristina Akiona also doubled in the fifth but didn’t advance. Leisha Li‘ili‘i singled to lead off the seventh, but Tyler responded by striking out the side.

"She’a a great pitcher and she definitely had our back tonight," said Smith, the Hokies’ junior catcher.

Maggie Tyler and Katey Smith. Kanani Aina Cabrales and Kayla Wartner. W—. L—.

Leading hitters—Virginia Tech: Smith, HR; Vanessa Gonzalez, 2B. Hawaii: Sarina Jaramillo, 2-3, 2B; Kristina Akiona, 2B.

Saturday

Western Illinois 3, Columbia 2

Virginia Tech 8, Columbia (5 innings)

Western Illinois 2, St. Bonaventure 0

Sunday

St. Bonaventure vs. Columbia, 11 a.m.

Columbia vs. Hawaii, 1 p.m.