First-year University of Hawai‘i head softball coach Panita Thanatharn was doused with water when her team learned she was named the Big West Conference co-Coach of the Year on Tuesday. As much as she doesn't like to make things about herself, she hopes it's not the last celebration this week.
"It's nice to get recognized. I told the girls, it's all my coaching staff and the team. The coaching staff has poured into this team, the girls have put it in the work. So, it's really just a team award," Thanatharn said in a media call. "I'm just really grateful for this opportunity."
The Rainbow Wahine have been on the road in Southern California for over a week and counting. After sweeping UC Riverside, the 'Bows finished their regular season 29-18 overall and 21-6 in Big West play. The Rainbow Wahine completed their Big West slate winners of 12 straight, clinching the 2 seed and bye in the conference tournament in Fullerton, Calif.
In addition to Thanatharn, sophomore Taryn Irimata was named the Big West Pitcher of the Year. Meanwhile, Milan Ah Yat, Millie Fidge and Jamie McGaughey were named to the Big West All-Conference first team. Furthermore, Hannah Pitts and Kayara Tuiloma were named to the Big West second team while Briana Maio-Silva was named to the All-Freshman team. The long list of individual accolades is a byproduct of the team's success improvement as the year went along.
Thanatharn was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Long Beach State, for 16 years. Becoming a Division I head coach had always been her ultimate goal. When she finally got the opportunity to become one in Mānoa, it didn't take long for her to win the team over.
"I think all of us trusted her pretty quick," said McGaughey, who was recruited by former head coach Bob Coolen. "Like any coach that you can just tell really wants to win, it's pretty easy to get on board, and all of us could tell she really just wanted to win. She was also there for us. She has an open door policy. She wants us to come talk to her and come form a bond with her. I think all of us were definitely a little bit nervous at first with a head coach being just so kind, but I think once we got situated and feeling comfortable, it didn't take long."
Although the Big West tournament began on Wednesday, the Rainbow Wahine earned a bye and will begin play against 3 seed UC Santa Barbara, which outlasted UC San Diego 10-9 in nine innings on Wednesday afternoon. The tournament will be the last time UH plays in the Big West, as the vast majority of the school's teams will make the full-time jump to the Mountain West in July.
In the double-elimination format, the Rainbow Wahine could need as little as three victories to win the tournament. Doing so would send the 'Bows to their first NCAA Tournament since 2013.
"I'm pumped. Our girls are playing really well. It's a fun atmosphere," Thanatharn said. "Told them from beginning, there's three parts — preseason, conference and then the postseason. We're kind of in our last third right now, and the whole team is excited, and we're just ready to go."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
