KANEOHE, HI (March 11, 2015) – The Hawai'i Pacific Softball Team (10-4, 3-3) split Wednesday's doubleheader against Azusa Pacific (14-14, 8-9). The Sharks dropped game two after coming up victorious in game one.

In game one, Azusa jumped out and claimed the early lead, scoring one in the top of the first. However, the lead was short lived as the Sharks tied the game in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Toni Baysa.

In the third inning, the Sharks exploded for four runs on five hits and were aided by some lackadaisical defense along the way. Dorian Acierto started the rally off with a single and proceeded to steal both second and third before Noelani Boyer worked a walk. Chelsea Cramer then singled through the right side for an RBI. Carolann Toyama then had an infield hit, Kiana Wolfe reached on an error by the right fielder, and then Mari Kajiwara and Toni Baysa both singled. At the end of it all, the Sharks had a commanding 5-1 lead.

The four run lead was more than enough for Sharks ace Kristen Caskey, who was once again masterful on the rubber. She threw a complete game and did an artful job scattering 10 hits over the seven innings while only walking one. Caskey continued her perfection and moved to 5-0 on the season.

Game two, however, was not the same story as APU's offense came to life.

APU got out to a 2-0 lead by the third inning, but in the bottom of the third Kajiwara scored on a throwing error by the catcher to get one back for HPU.

The Cougars retaliated in the top of the fourth with a run of their own, and then push across another four runs in the fifth making the score 7-1.

The Sharks answered for three runs in the bottom of the fifth on a Keila Elderts single and Acierto sacrifice fly, closing the gap to 7-4 and putting the Sharks within striking distance.

Unfortunately, APU cashed in another three runs in the seventh inning and close the book on game two with a final score of 10-4.

Paige Crawford was the unlucky loser dropping her record to 3-2 on the year. She threw five innings and allowed 10 hits, but only three of her seven runs allowed were earned as the Sharks tallied a season-high seven errors.

HPU goes to battle with #7 Dixie State on Friday (March 13) at Howard A. Okita Field in their fourth PacWest series. Game one is scheduled for first pitch at 1:00 pm and game two for 3:30 pm.