Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WAIPAHU, Hawaii (February 13, 2016) – Powered by home runs from Steven Camberos, Nolan Barraza and Keola Himan, the Hawaii Pacific baseball team swept a doubleheader against Saint Leo (Fla.) University, 3-2 and 9-6, at Hans L'Orange Park.
 
In the opener, Camberos – the HPU catcher – crushed a fastball delivered by Lions starter Dylan Collett (0-1) that sailed over the fence in left to give the Sharks a 2-0 advantage in the first inning. The 380-foot bomb allowed Tyler Tokunaga, who had reached on a wild pitch after striking out, to score.
 
In the third frame, Barraza hammered a Collett pitch with two outs that carried over the center-field fence, and pushed HPU's lead back to two, 3-1.
 
The Sharks (4-0) relied on senior starter Brandon Van Stone (1-0), who threw seven effective innings, scattering five hits and surrendering two runs over seven innings to earn the victory. Following a scoreless inning from HPU reliever Jordan Knoll, lefty closer Brandon Bonilla then closed the door by striking out the side in the ninth to notch his second save of the young season.
 
In the return match, Sharks starter Matthew Gunter struggled with his command and gave up five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks, while striking out four through five frames. Reliever Kyle Detwiler (1-0) picked up the win after allowing a run over three innings. Tre Haliburton-Goeas came in to earn the save in the ninth since Bonilla had pitched in the previous three games.
 
However, a four-run seventh inning allowed HPU to overtake the Lions, while energizing the vocal crowd.
 
Freshman outfielder Keola Himan flexed his muscles, connecting at the plate for a triple, home run and two RBI in the second game to help propel the Sharks offense. Cambreros tripled and drove in two runs, while Barraza went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
 
Lions hurler Zach Whitaker did not factor in the decision despite initially being in line for the win after allowing four runs in six innings. Saint Leo reliever Edwin Suarez (0-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing the Sharks to rally in the seventh, and surrendering three runs in the frame without retiring a batter.
 
The Lions (3-4) were led by leadoff man Derek Gibree, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the first game. In the second contest, first baseman Troy Sieber tripled and drove in two runs, while also scoring three times.
 
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 hard-throwing relief option who can let it fly at 97 mph 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; he's currently a graduate student at HPU.
 
The Sharks are aiming to improve on their 27-20 record last year, which included a 17-15 mark in conference play. HPU was picked to finish seventh in a very competitive 10-team PacWest Conference via a preseason vote by league coaches.
 
Under the guidance of 11^th-year skipper Garett Yukumoto, who is the program's winningest coach with a 293-196-1 mark, the Sharks are following the pace set by 13 seniors on the roster, including ace pitcher Rico Garcia.
 
HPU returns to Hans L'Orange Park on Sunday to face Saint Leo at noon in the finale of the five-game set and will go for the series sweep.