Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 OAKLAND, Calif. (March 28, 2016) – The Hawaii Pacific baseball team split a double dip with Academy of Art University, winning the opener 8-6 and falling in the return matchup 12-3, to begin a four-game PacWest Conference series at Laney College.
 
The Sharks (18-10, 10-8 PacWest), currently the seventh-ranked team in the West Region, scored three runs in the ninth inning of the opener to turn a one-run deficit into a two-run advantage. HPU catcher William Leskovec singled in Bronson Aiwohi to score the tying run, while Austin Inabata and Tanner Tokunaga drove in runs via a sacrifice fly and single up the middle to establish some breathing room.
 
Kyle Detwiler (4-0) picked up the win after throwing three innings of relief and striking out two, while surrendering a lone unearned run. He came in for staff ace Rico Garcia, who did not factor in the decision after allowing five runs (two earned) and striking out seven.
 
Brandon Bonilla, the team's senior closer, held ARTU scoreless over the final inning and nailed down his eighth save of the season. The hard-throwing lefty has allowed one unearned run in 12 1/3 innings this season, through which he has struck out 17.
 
Reid Akau went 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Keola Himan homered for the Sharks. Four HPU hitters posted two base knocks each as part of the 16-hit effort.
 
The Urban Knights (8-19, 3-10) ran away with the second game and were led by Alexander Kuisel's (1-5) complete game, through which the hurler allowed two earned runs on eight hits. Greg Ivory drove in 3 runs for the home team.
 
Ethan Kalin (2-2) was saddled with the loss after HPU's starter lasted an inning and surrendered three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks. Nolan Barraza and Himan led HPU with two hits apiece.
 
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 via 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 from last year, which included a 17-15 mark in conference play. HPU was picked to finish seventh this season 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 307-206-1.  
 
HPU continues its eight-game Northern California road swing and wraps up its set with the Urban Knights on Tuesday featuring games at 4 and 7 p.m.