Box Score WAIPAHU, Hawaii (February 10, 2016) – Senior ace Rico Garcia lived up to the preseason hype and tossed eight solid innings as the Hawaii Pacific baseball team defeated Saint Leo (Fla.) University, 6-1, at Hans L'Orange Park.
 
The Sharks (1-0) were buoyed by Garcia (1-0), who scattered five hits and struck out five while limiting the potent opposing lineup to one run. Senior Brandon Bonilla made his HPU debut and closed out the game with a scoreless final frame, including two glove-popping strikeouts.
 
Freshman Tanner Tokunaga led the Sharks at the dish, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Tyler Tokunaga added two hits and an RBI, while catcher Steven Camberos doubled and drove in a run.
 
The Lions (3-1) were on the verge of being shut out until pinch hitter Zach Daly laced an RBI double off a Garcia fastball to score Bryan Nunez in the eighth inning.
 
Garcia, a prep standout at Saint Louis School, was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America Preseason All-West Region First Team and earned a spot on the Preseason All-PacWest Team. Heled the Sharks with a 6-4 record last season and a 2.18 ERA through 10 starts, including four complete games. The Kapolei native also paced HPU in 2015 with a school-record 87 strikeouts over 74 1/3 innings pitched, while opposing batters hit just .186 against him.
 
The right-handed hurler is looking to help the Sharks improve on their 27-20 record last year, which included a 17-15 mark in conference play. Garcia was named to the All-PacWest First Team in 2015 and was also honored as HPU's Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Bonilla, the son of former Major League slugger Bobby Bonilla, joined the Sharks after spending time at both Arizona State and Grand Canyon Universities. The southpaw pitcher is a hard-throwing relief option who can let it fly at 97 mph, and also boasts a biting slider that darts in toward right-handed hitters.
 
Bonilla was selected in the 37^th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft in 2011 after his time at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., by the Colorado Rockies. He was then picked in 2014 in the 25^th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but chose instead to focus on earning his college degree.
 
HPU returns to Hans L'Orange Park on Friday at 6 p.m. for the second game in the five-game set.