Waipahu, HI (February 11, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific baseball team (2-0, 2-0) showed off its bats today in a season opening sweep of Hawai'i-Hilo (0-2, 0-2). HPU won the first game 17-7 and the second game by a 14-7 count.

HPU went in a quick 3-0 hole after the season was only a half inning old. HPU bounced back with five runs in the bottom of second, highlighted by a two RBI triple to right center by newcomer Russell Doi. Hilo would tie the game in the top of the third with a pair of runs. In the bottom of the third, HPU reclaimed the lead on a solo home run by Kale Sumner.

The Vulcans took the lead back in the top the fifth. HPU hung another crooked number on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, striking for five runs. Wade Tamaru knocked in a pair of runs with his single to right. The teams traded single run innings before HPU blew the game open with another five run inning, this time in the eighth. Blake Amaral plated two runners on a double to give HPU its last two runs.

Edward Trovato got the start for HPU and got the win. Rylan Morihara led HPU with four hits and three RBI. Jordan Inamasu had three hits and three runs while Jace Poole went 2-2 with three runs in his Sea Warrior debut.

Game two saw Hilo again take a lead in the first inning, this time 1-0. Then, for the fourth time on the day, HPU scored five runs in an inning. Lanan Rice-Kashima drove in two with his single through the right side of the infield. Hilo answered right back with five runs of their own in the top on the second. HPU regained the lead on a two RBI single from Tamaru in the third. Hilo battled back in the fourth to tie the game at seven. HPU delivered a knockout punch in the fifth when it scored seven times. Sumner and Tamaru each had two RBI hits in the big inning.

Morihara and Tamaru each had three hits, Tamaru also had four RBI. Junior Sumner knocked in three runs. Michael Murry pitched a complete game and got the win.

The teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday at 11 AM at Hans L'Orange Park.