HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University softball opened its home season in a different venue as the Sharks split a non-conference doubleheader with Pacific (Ore.) on Saturday afternoon at Moanalua High School.
 
The Sharks (6-7) took a 9-5 win over the Boxers (5-4) in Game 1, but took a 6-2 loss in Game 2 in the outfield-fenceless Moanalua field.
 
The games, late scheduled due to rainouts for Pacific this week, were contested at MHS as heavy rain on the windward side of Oahu made HPU's Howard Okita field unplayable.

In game one, the Sharks once again saw great pitching from senior Jordan Curry of Farmington, N.M./Farmington (5-1) for the first five innings. Curry allowed just two hits in five frames with three walks and three runs (two earned). Junior Sierra Dias of Mililani, Hawai'i/Bishop Gorman went 3-for-4 in the game with two runs scored while freshman Brandi Leong of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/ Leilehua went 2-for-3 with two runs and a pair of RBIs.

HPU struck first as Dias almost hit an infield home-run but nevertheless crushed a triple to right center field. She was brought in by freshman Noel Saunders of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City who tallied a base hit RBI to center field on the very next pitch.
 
The Sharks topped their lead with six runs in the third inning off seven hits. Leong tallied a two-RBI double down the left field line to bring in Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato and Leipua Kaui. Tiana Cantero-Kawelo also picked up a two RBI base knock through the right side brining in Curry and Hailey McKim bringing the score to 7-0 after three innings.
 
The Boxers picked up three runs in the fourth frame off two base hits and an HPU fielding error. Another Pacific double made two runs earned, but the Sharks were able to close the inning out on a bases loaded ground out.
 
HPU added one more run in the fifth with effective base running from Leong and a sacrifice bunt from Curry to make it 8-3.
 
Pacific was able to post another run on a single home run by Montana Vaught.
 
HPU scored run number nine off a failed run down attempt on Tovio-Asato allowing Kaui to score in the process.
 
Senior Alexis Morales of San Diego/Mater Dei Catholic pitched two innings allowing two runs, both earned, on five hits with no walks and 3 strikeouts.
 
Pacific's Tiare Guerrero (1-2) pitched for 2.2 innings allowing 7 earned runs on 10 hits and one walk. Carly Bursch pitched for 2.1 innings allowing one earned run on 2 hits with 2 strikeouts, and Annika McNeel closed the final innings with one earned run on 2 hits and a walk.
 
Game two started with both teams tallying a run in the first on errors. HPU's came as Noel Saunders of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City reached on throwing error and advanced to third on the overthrow at first. She was brought in by Kaui to tie the game at 1-1.
Pacific added another run in the third off two singles followed by two stolen bases putting runners on second and third. Nicole Martinez was brought home by a ground out to Leong making it 2-1 Boxers.
 
In the fourth, both teams added one more run to the total as HPU's Ashley Iseri of Cerritos, Calif./Whitney was walked with bases loaded bringing in Leong for the final Sharks run of the game.
 
Pacific's Vaught hit her second home-run of the day in the sixth inning to bring in two teammates making it 6-2 Boxers and the final score.

Sophomore starter Malia Torres of Danville, Calif./Monte Vista (0-3) took the loss allowing six runs, five earned, on twelve hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. Curry came back to close out the contest allowing a hit and three walks.
 
The Sharks meet the Boxers in a second doubleheader on Sunday that has been moved to Sand Island Park. The first game will count as a regular season contest for both schools, while the second game is an exhibition for HPU. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.