Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WAIPAHU, Hawaii (March 12, 2016) – The Hawaii Pacific baseball team lost both ends of a doubleheader with visiting Azusa Pacific University, dropping the opener 8-4 and falling in the return matchup 7-0 in seven innings, to conclude a four-game PacWest Conference series at Hans L'Orange Park.
 
The Sharks (15-7, 7-5 PacWest) managed 3 hits as they were shut out in the finale, while ace Rico Garcia (3-2) took the loss after giving up 4 earned runs on 11 hits. Michael Fairchild (2-2) stifled the HPU offense, striking out 5 and scattering 3 hits in the complete-game effort.
 
HPU pitcher Brandon Van Stone (3-1) took the loss in the opener after allowing 6 runs on 10 hits through 7 innings. A rough eighth frame led to 5 runs for APU, which proved to be the difference in what had been a close contest up until that point. Joe Huthsing (3-1) notched the victory after allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits in 7 innings on the hill.
 
The Cougars (9-12, 5-3) were led offensively by third baseman Adrian Tovalin, who went 6-for-6 with 3 walks, 3 RBI and a homer on the day. He finished the series with three homers, as did Pablo O'Connor.
 
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. He led 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.
 
Garcia was named to the All-PacWest First Team in 2015 and was also honored as HPU's Male Athlete of the Year. Earlier this season, he set the program record for career innings pitched and continues to build on that mark.
 
The Sharks are aiming to improve on their 27-20 record from 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. The team is guided by 11^th-year skipper Garett Yukumoto, who is the program's winningest coach at 304-203-1.  
 
HPU has 10 days off before returning to Hans L'Orange Park on March 22 (6 p.m.) to begin a four-game series with current PacWest leader California Baptist.