Kaneohe, HI (February 9, 2013) – The Hawai'i Pacific softball team (2-0) started off the 2013 season with a bang. The Sea Warriors beat BYU-Hawaii (0-8) by 8-0 and 10-0 scores, both in five innings via the mercy rule. Pomaikai Kalakau hit a walk-off homerun to ice game one and Dorian Acierto homered in game two and had five RBI to pace HPU.

HPU was never challenged in either half of the doubleheader due in large part to exceptional starting pitching. Head Coach Bryan Nakasone handed the ball to freshman Kristen Caskey in game one and she was impressive, limiting the Seasiders to two hits in five innings. She did not walk a batter and struck out two. Game two was a similar story as freshman Alysia Maddison yielded just one hit in five innings of work while walking one and striking out three.

Caskey reflected on her first start after the game, “I was really nervous to start, but I settled down after the first inning.”

Maddison had similar feelings, “It was the ideal way to open the season. I was really nervous, but it was good to know that I had my defense behind me.”  

In game one the Sea Warriors slowly built their lead, scoring three runs in the second inning, two in the third, two in the fourth and the Kalakau bomb to lead off the fifth.

Kalakau, Acierto, and Chante Tesoro each had two hits and two RBI in the game one win.

HPU had its success in chunks in the second game. HPU struck for three runs in first inning and then seven runs in the third.

Kalakau, Tesoro, and Keila Elderts each had two hits and two runs scored in the second game. Tesoro added two more RBI.

Elderts was happy with the start of the season, “It as a good first showing of what we can do. A lot of us have been working really hard this offseason so we were really excited. That is why we came out so pumped up.”

HPU will return to the diamond tomorrow for a non-conference doubleheader against Chamainde University starting at 12:00 PM.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score