Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 KANEOHE, Hawaii (March 17, 2016) – The Hawaii Pacific softball team came from behind to salvage a doubleheader split with Academy of Art University, losing 5-3 then claiming the return matchup 7-6 (9 innings), in PacWest Conference action at Howard A. Okita Field.
 
The Sharks (10-16, 6-8 PacWest) overcame a 5-1 deficit in the second game via a five-run fifth inning buoyed by a 3-run triple from Dominique Walker followed by a 2-run homer off the bat of Kayla Sanchez.
 
In the home half of the ninth inning, Nicole Viena singled to third base to bring home Sanchez, who reached on an error earlier in the frame, for the winning run. Sanchez and Walker combined for 7 of HPU's 9 RBI on the day.
 
HPU starter Kristen Caskey (5-5) earned the complete-game win and notched 5 strikeouts; she allowed 6 runs on 11 hits but stranded six ARTU runners on base.
 
Walker, a freshman, continued her hot streak at the plate, and crushed a solo homer on a full count with two out in the first inning to initially put the Sharks ahead in the first game. She added another RBI on a squeeze bunt, while teammate Britney Stevens posted two hits.
 
Sharks pitcher Alexa McCoin (0-3) took the loss in the first game after allowing the two go-ahead runs (one earned) in 3 2/3 innings of relief in the opener.
 
The Urban Knights (11-12-1, 7-3) received 2 RBI from Andrea Gill in the opener, while Brenna Mitchell drove in 3 runs in the second game.
 
Mitchell (8-5) picked up the complete-game win in the first game and racked up 6 strikeouts. Alexa Peters (0-4) was saddled with the loss in the return matchup after surrendering an unearned run in 3 2/3 innings in the pitcher's circle.
 
HPU returns to the friendly confines of Howard A. Okita Field on Saturday, March 19 to host BYU-Hawaii (noon/2:30 p.m.) in a PacWest doubleheader.