FRESNO, Calif. — University of Hawai'i pitcher Justine Smethurst knows every time she finds herself in trouble her team can find a way to score runs for her.

That was the case against Louisiana Tech yesterday.

Smethurst gave up two runs in the first inning, but the nationally ranked Rainbow Wahine rallied for a run in the first and four in the second for a 5-2 victory in the second day of the Western Athletic Conference softball tournament at Bulldog Diamond.

"We want it," said Smethurst, who finished with a six-hitter and 10 strikeouts. "You know your team is going to back you up. This is what we've been doing all year. We came through 'til the end. We fight until the end."

The win sets up a showdown against host Fresno State at 11 a.m. (Hawai'i time) today. The Bulldogs advanced by defeating New Mexico State, 3-2. Today's winner advances to tomorrow's championship game.

"I'm very fortunate and looking forward to it," said UH coach Bob Coolen. "Emotions run high."

The Rainbows outscored the Bulldogs 22-9 earlier this season, including an 18-2 victory April 20 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Tyleen Tausaga, who knocked in a run in the second inning, likes playing against Fresno State.

"It's going to be fun," she said. "It'll be a great to play in an atmosphere like this. We know what we're capable of. We just have to put it together and we're growing together."

That maturity showed yesterday when they overcame an early deficit.

Ashley Cameron took an 0-2 offering from Smethurst and belted a two-run shot over the left-field fence to give the Lady Techsters a 2-0 lead.

After that, Smethurst settled down to earn her 17th win of the season and improve to 5-0 against LaTech. It was her 18th complete game of the season.

The Rainbows, ranked No. 12 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association and No. 13 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 polls, tallied an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning when Clare Warwick scored on a fielding error by Summer Young.

Hawai'i added four runs on four hits in the second inning. Kathryn Grimes hit an RBI double, Tanisha Milca and Tausaga had RBI singles, and Warwick hit a sacrifice fly.

"Our team didn't get rattled," Coolen said. "We came together. We just had to get the cobwebs out of our system. They all swung the bat well. All season we had play catch-up."

Louisiana Tech coach Sarah Dawson credited the Rainbows for a well-played game.

"We knew we had to score a lot of runs and pitch well and we didn't match that," Dawson said. "They consistently pitch well and hit well. You need to be hot to get it done and they're doing that. They have what it takes. We just couldn't get hits with runners in scoring position."

The Rainbows are seeking their first NCAA appearance since 2003.

LOUISIANA TECH (22-37) 200 000 0—2 6 1

HAWAI'I (46-9) 140 000 X—5 6 0

Krissi Oliver and Regan Clark. Justine Smethurst and Kathryn Grimes. W—Smethurst (17-7). L—Oliver (17-26).

Leading hitters—LaTech: Rochelle Sandberg double; Ashley Cameron 2-3, homer, double, 2 RBIs. UH: Tanisha Milca RBI; Clare Warwick double, RBI; Tyleen Tausaga RBI; Grimes double, RBI.

WAC TOURNAMENT GLANCE

ALL TIMES HAWAI'I

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

SECOND ROUND

Hawai'i 5, Louisiana Tech 2

Fresno State 3, New Mexico State 2

CONSOLATION

San Jose State 9, Utah State 1

Nevada 7, Louisiana Tech 2

San Jose State 3, New Mexico State 1

TODAY'S GAMES

Hawai'i vs. Fresno State, 11 a.m.

San Jose State vs. Nevada, 1:30 p.m.

Hawai'i-Fresno State loser vs. San Jose State-Nevada winner, 4 p.m.