KANEOHE, Hawai'i —Hawai'i Pacific University officially opened the 2018 season by splitting a doubleheader with Central Washington on Saturday at Howard Okita Field.
 
The Sharks (1-1) won the rain-shortened opener 6-2 in five innings. And after an extensive field preparation after a heavy rainstorm, the Wildcats (5-4) claimed game two 5-4.
 
The Sharks spotted Central Washington two runs early in the first game, before sophomore pitcher Emiliee Leonard scored on a throwing error in the fourth inning.
 
With rain falling in the fifth, the Sharks started with a double by senior Kiana Wolfe and freshman Cieana Curran running out a bunt. HPU took the lead with a Siena Dias triple to right field bringing in both Wolfe and Curran. Noelani Boyer then crushed a branch breaking homer down the left line making it 5-2. After a walk and a wild pitch, freshman Miki Takara plated what would be the final run on a passed ball. By this time conditions had worsened and the game was halted. The umpires called the contest after a delay.
 
Leonard of La Mirada, Calif./ Saint Paul, pitched all five innings for the Sharks allowing two runs with five hits, two walks, and two strikeouts for her the first win of the season.
 
CWU's Lexie Strasser threw four and two thirds innings giving up eight hits, six runs (five earned), and three walks. She also recorded three strikeouts and suffered the first loss of the season.


After the heavy rain passed and the field repaired from the storm, the Wildcats collected two runs in the opening frame off of a Shark throwing error, HPU followed with a run starting with a double from junior Jordan Curry. Santiago would sacrifice her in making cutting the CWU lead to 2-1 after two.
 
Neither team would score again until the sixth with Central Washington taking advantage of an HPU fielding error for three unearned runs. The Sharks would come back to get three of their own starting with a walk and three singles from Boyer, Leonard, and Curry with Curry's bringing in two RBI. Freshman Mary Dungey would bring home the fourth and final run with a double to right center.
 
Junior Alexis Morales of San Diego, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic, pitched all seven innings for the Sharks allowing 11 hits, five unearned runs, two walks and grabbing four strikeouts in the process.
 
Taylor Williams pitched five and a third innings for the Wildcats allowing four runs off of six hits with two walks and two strikeouts giving her the win (3-2). Kayla Smith chalked up the save with an inning and two thirds allowing no hits and only walking one.
 
HPU is scheduled to be back in action tomorrow afternoon against Simon Fraser. First pitch is at noon at Howard Okita Field.