Turlock, CA (March 29, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific Softball team (20-12, 14-8) got a little momentum going into the Mizuno Tournament of Champions with a doubleheader sweep over  Dominican University (2-25, 0-14) in a pair of mercy rule shortened games: 8-0, 9-0. The doubleheader was originally scheduled for Howard A. Okita Field in early March, but was rained out. Today's games were played at a neutral site in Turlock, CA.

Breanne Patton (pictured) was again masterful in game one; she allowed just one hit in her seven strikeout shutout victory while on the mound. At the plate, she went 2-2 including her team-leading third home run of the season.

The two-run Patton blast started the scoring for the Sea Warriors in the second inning, later in the inning HPU would lead 3-0 after Dorian Acierto doubled home Celina Garces. Five Sea Warriors runs on five hits and three errors gave HPU an 8-0 lead in the fourth. Acierto had another RBI hit and Caira Pires had a sacrifice fly. With Dominican unable to score the game was stopped after four and a half innings.

HPU again took advantage of Dominican miscues in the first inning of the second game, the Sea Warriors scored twice without the benefit of a hit. The hits would come in the third as HPU scored seven times; it began with back-to-back extra base hits. Chante Tesoro tripled to lead off and scored on a double off the bat of Keila Elderts. Nicole Morrow and Garces would follow with RBI singles. Tesoro came back up and delivered a two RBI single and then Elderts would drive in her second run of the inning on a single to end the scoring.   

Melissa Kirby was also dominant on the hill; she allowed no runs on just two hits.

HPU will play three games tomorrow in the Mizuno Tournament of Champions in Turlock, CA. First is Cal State Monterey Bay at 1:15 PM, then Humboldt State at 4:15 PM, and finally Sonoma State at 8:15 PM.