As much as Panita Thanatharn likes to be forward-thinking, the first-year University of Hawai‘i head softball coach had to reckon with a large chunk of her past over the weekend.
As part of its last year of Big West Conference membership, the Rainbow Wahine made a trip to Long Beach State for a three-game series. Thanatharn has spent over 20 years of her life at the school — first as a player, then as an assistant coach. When she was hired as a head coach for the first time last summer, doing so required her to leave her alma mater.
Prior to the series opener last Friday, The Beach held a special pregame ceremony for Thanatharn in which she was presented with lei. UH assistant coach Alyssa Gonzalez, who Thanatharn took with her to Mānoa from Long Beach, was also honored.
Thanatharn was part of a coaching staff that turned LBSU into the Big West standard, with five conference titles since 2013. In that span, UH has had just one.
After Hawai‘i the opener 8-7, the Rainbow Wahine took the series with 10-0 and 3-2 victories. The 'Bows were led by pitcher Taryn Irimata, who tossed a total of 10 shutout innings in both victories, allowing just two hits over the weekend. For her efforts, she was named the Big West Pitcher of the Week. The series victory over The Beach was UH's first since 2019.
"Ws always feels good. I didn't know the stat on that, with the history or whatnot, but it felt really good," Thanatharn said of the series win. "It was special (to be back in Long Beach)."
During the series, Long Beach State also honored longtime head coach Kim Sowder, who retired following the 2025 season.
"Kim is a huge mentor of mine. I've known her for half my life. She's very special," Thanatharn said. "I consider her family. To be able to just go back and celebrate that, I am grateful that Long Beach was able to do that."
Although Thanatharn is new to the Hawai‘i family, her players were certainly aware of her legacy at Long Beach State heading into the series. Players on UH's roster felt motivated to win for their new coaches.
"I think it was super motivating," first baseman Jamie McGaughey said of winning for Thanatharn. "Also knowing that Long Beach is obviously one of the top contenders. I think seeing like what we were capable of, especially that second game, that was super, super motivating for our team, for sure."
Hawai‘i's season continues over the weekend with a three-game home series against CSUN that begins on Friday at 6 p.m. at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. At 13-14 overall and 5-4 in Big West play, the 'Bows are currently tied for fourth in the conference standings.
"It's the same approach. We're still working to get better every single day," Thanatharn said. "(The weather forecast for the weekend) is good now, knock on wood, hopefully no more rain."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
