Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 KANEOHE, Hawaii (March 8, 2016) – The Hawaii Pacific softball team split a doubleheader with visiting Dominican University of California, 6-3 and 8-4, in a PacWest Conference clash amid cool, wet conditions at Howard A. Okita Field.
In the second game, HPU scored 7 runs in the fifth inning to turn a 4-1 deficit into an 8-4 advantage. Sharks freshman pitcher
Alexis Morales (1-1) earned her first win after going the distance and scattering 8 hits while allowing a lone earned run.
Freshman
Dominique Walker led the offensive charge with two hits, including a double and 3 RBI, while
Kayla Sanchez, who posted two hits in the first game, doubled and drove in two.
Britney Stevens also drove in two runs for the Sharks, who chased Dominican starter Kelsey Goodner (0-5) after the pitcher gave up 7 runs on 4 hits and 9 walks in 4 2/3 innings.
The Sharks (8-10, 5-3 PacWest) were doomed by missed opportunities in the first game, and stranded 13 runners on base including six in scoring position through the first four frames. Walker provided the offensive power with a pinch-hit, 3-run double while
Nicole Viena notched a triple.
Sophomore pitcher
Alexa McCoin (0-1) took the loss in her first start of the season for HPU after surrendering 6 runs (5 earned) on 11 hits through 5 innings.
The Penguins (7-14, 5-5) also issued 9 walks in the opener, but Gaby Katafias (3-2) was still able to earn the win after the starter gave up just three runs.
The Sharks returning to Howard A. Okita Field to host Occidental College on Wednesday, March 9 in a doubleheader (10 a.m./12:30 p.m.) before hitting the road for a weekend series at Dixie State.