University of Hawaii softball is making waves in the postseason, as two standout players have earned prestigious regional honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Corner infielder Jamie McGaughey and pitcher Taryn Irimata were named to the NFCA Division I All-West Region second and third teams, respectively, on Thursday—a testament to their dominant performances this season.
McGaughey, already an All-Big West first team selection, becomes the first Hawaii player to land on the region second team since former pitcher Brittany Hitchcock and third baseman Nicole Lopez achieved the feat back in 2019. The junior from Petaluma, California, has been a force at the plate, leading the Rainbow Wahine in batting average (.394), home runs (12), doubles (13), and RBIs (43). Her power and consistency have been a cornerstone of the team's offense.
Irimata, meanwhile, has been equally impressive in the circle. The sophomore from Campbell High School was named the Big West Pitcher of the Year and is the first Hawaii player to earn a third-team regional award since second baseman Maya Nakamura in 2023. She finished the season with a 13-9 record, including a stellar 10-2 mark in conference play. Irimata posted a league-best 2.38 ERA, struck out 87 batters over 129 1/3 innings, and tossed 14 complete games with five shutouts. Her ERA in Big West action was an eye-popping 1.60, showcasing her dominance against conference foes.
The NFCA All-Region honors recognize the top softball student-athletes across 10 divisions, with first-, second-, and third-team selections. Both McGaughey and Irimata are now eligible for the 2026 NFCA Division I All-America teams, adding another layer of excitement to their already standout seasons.
In other college softball action, the Hawaii Hilo Vulcans faced a tough start at the NCAA Division II Championships West Regional in San Marcos, California. Cal State San Marcos jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning and two in the second, ultimately defeating Hawaii Hilo 9-1. Zoe Karam led the Cougars with a 2-for-2 performance, including a home run and two RBIs, while Rae D’Amato went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Pitcher Daleah Cardenas (19-2) tossed a complete game, allowing just four hits and striking out two over six innings.
Mariah Antoque provided a bright spot for the Vulcans, going 2-for-2 at the plate. Hawaii Hilo now faces Cal State Dominguez Hills in a losers bracket game today at 9:30 a.m., as they look to keep their postseason hopes alive in the double-elimination tournament.