WAIPAHU, Hawai'i — Hawai'i Pacific University made a pair of late inning surges, one that was successful and one that wasn't as the Sharks split a doubleheader from Augustana (S.D.) Friday at Hans L'Orange Field.
 
The Sharks (3-1) took the first game 5-3 after scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth. The Vikings (1-3) scored five runs in the top of the seventh in the second game and held on as HPU plated six runs in the bottom of the frame to gain their first win 11-9 in the seven-inning nightcap.
 
 "We made a solid comeback in the first game, but waited too late to rally in the second," said HPU head coach Garett Yukumoto. "Our defense let us down in both games by making too many errors and mental miscues. We have to do better than that."
 
HPU overcame three errors in the first contest, but committed four errors in the second.
 
The offensive star of the night was sophomore Jordan Mopas of Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/St. Louis who went 4-for-6 with a double and four RBIs. Junior third baseman Wyatt Hoppie was 3-for-6 with two runs and an RBI.
 
HPU closes a five-game series with Augustana on Saturday with a single nine-inning game starting at 11 a.m. at Hans L'Orange Field.
 
Game One
 
HPU errors helped spot the Vikings a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth. That's when the Sharks got runners on second and third with one out.
 
The Sharks trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the ninth before plating three runs for a come-from-behind victory in the season opener. Junior catcher Kreston Woods of Tempe, Ariz./DeNiza ripped a single to right to score Ryan Torres-Torioka. The Vikings picked up their only error of the game on the play with an overthrow trying to get Woods trying to advance to second on the throw in from the outfield, allowing Hoppie to scamper home and Woods to third. Mopes then singled up the middle for the go-ahead run.
 
Senior righthander Zachary Smith of North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted came in to close out the ninth to get his first save and give Evan-Thomas May his first win of the season.
 
Augie's Michael Brandt got the loss, his first of the season.
 
Game Two
 
The Sharks fell 11-9 to the Vikings in a scheduled seven inning contest, but made the game very interesting with a wild seventh.
 
Augie, up 6-3 entering the inning, got five runs in the top of the inning after a throwing error on a pickoff attempt and a fielder's choice as the Vikings got out of a rundown loaded the bases. Designated hitter Carter Wevik singled in one run, catcher Trent Herman walked to force in another. Third baseman Lucas Berry brought home a third with a sacrifice fly before leftfielder Jacob James brought home two more with a double to right.
 
Then it was HPU's turn in the final at-bat. Sophomore centerfielder Tanner Tokunaga of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City led off with a single with Torioka and Hoppie drawing walks to load the bases. Augie switched pitchers to bring in Nick Hanson who issued a walk to Woods for one run, then allowed a bases-clearing double by Mopas. Senior catcher Will Leskovec doubled down the left field line to bring in Mopas. Freshman Trey Yukumoto of Waipahu, Hawai'i/Leilehua, drew a walk that sent Hanson to the dugout for the Vikings' Derek Dahlke. Dahlke promptly gave up a single to right by Tokunaga to drive in Leskovic. But with first and second occupied with two outs, he got Torioka flied out to left to end the contest.
 
Reliever Dalton Allen got the win for Augustana, with a save for Dahlke. HPU senior lefthanded starter Jordan Knoll was tagged with the loss.