Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 KANEOHE, HI (February 10, 2015) – Comebacks and two-out run scoring were the hallmarks of the Hawai'i Pacific Softball Team (6-0) as they swept Western Washington (3-3) on Tuesday afternoon at Howard A Okita Field. HPU took the opener 9-8 in extra innings and won 5-1 in game two.

Game one was full of offense, HPU and WWU combined for 24 hits. Western Washington took the early lead on a two-run home run in the first inning. HPU got a run back in the bottom of the first on a suicide squeeze from Sharae Esprecion. In the third, Noelani Boyer doubled home a run to tie the game at two.

From the fourth to the top of the seventh inning, it was all Vikings. WWU scored five runs to lead 7-2 headed to the bottom of the seventh.

The Sharks loaded the bases with three consecutive hits to open their last at bat. However, the next two hitters were retired. Trailing by five and down to their last out, things looked bleak for the Sharks. However, a two-RBI single from Esprecion and a two-RBI double from Boyer, in consecutive at bats, made it a game again at 7-6.

With the tying run on second and two out, WWU went to the bullpen. Pinch-runner Sienna Santiago stole third base to greet the new pitcher. Kayla Sanchez walked for the third time in the game to put runners on the corners. The Vikings hurler then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Santiago to sprint home to tie the game at seven!

WWU kept up the pressure, scoring a run in the top of the eighth inning. It appeared the great comeback might be for naught.

The Sharks got two walks, plus the international tiebreaker runner, to load the bases in the last of the eighth. Pinch hitter Paige Crawford then ripped a double scoring two runs to win the game in walk-off fashion!

The unsung hero of the comeback was pitcher Alexa McCoin. The freshman came into the game in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out. She promptly struck out the next two hitters to give the HPU offense a chance. McCoin stayed on for the eighth and eventually got her first collegiate win.

Head Coach Bryan Nakasone stayed with the hot hand in game two and it was a great call. McCoin made the first start of her career in game two and was sensational. The Sacramento product allowed just four hits and one unearned run over seven innings to get her second win of the day.

Game two was also a comeback, just not as dramatic. WWU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and the score stayed that way until the bottom of the fourth.

An RBI single from Chelsea Cramer tied the game up in the last of the fourth. Run scoring hits from Esprecion and Boyer gave HPU some breathing room at 3-1 after five innings. The offense added on two more runs in the sixth when Toni Baysa knocked in a run with a single and later scored in a wild pitch.

Boyer had four hits (three doubles) and four RBI on the day. Esprecion had two hits in the doubleheader to go with four RBI.

HPU next hosts Pacific University on Sunday at noon for a doubleheader at Howard A Okita Field.