WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University broke out the brooms for the opening series as they held on to win the first game of Sunday's non-conference doubleheader against Howard Payne (Texas) 6-5 and bombed the Texans 20-4 in the seven inning second game at Hans L'Orange Park.
 
The Sharks (5-0) banged out 25 hits on the day in sweeping the Division III Yellowjackets (0-5).
 
HPU overcame a 4-1 deficit in the first game thanks to a three-run fifth inning and a two run sixth before holding on for the win. In the seven-inning second game, HPU took advantage of a two-out error in the first inning before opening up the bats and plating 11 runs on six hits in the frame on the way to the blow-out win.
 
Senior first baseman Christian Kapeliela of Kaneohe, Hawai'i/Castle led the offensive explosion by going 4-for-7 with three RBIs and three runs scored on the day. He belted his second home run of the year in game one. Sophomore third baseman Micah Layosa of Lihue, Hawai'i/Kauai went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in game one.
 
Freshman right hander Cole Mayeshiro of Mililani, Hawai'i/Mililani picked up the win in game one in relief allowing a run on four hits in four innings while striking out three Jackets. Right handed starter senior Jordan Gesling of Lennox, S.D./Roosevelt struck out four in five innings while allowing eight hits and four unearned runs. Freshman righty Shane Adams of Honolulu/Mid-Pacific Institute started game two and went 4.2 innings allowing two hits and one run while striking out five and walking three to pick up his first win of the season. Sophomore right hander Jake Hintze of Peoria, Ariz./Mountain Ridge allowed one hit in an inning pitched, but allowed three unearned runs with a walk. Sophomore left hander Conlan Myers finished the game with a perfect 1.1 innings pitched and two strikeouts.
 
In the first game, Howard Payne tallied three unearned runs in the second for a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth. Kapeliela put the Sharks on the board with a towering blast on a 2-1 pitch for his second homer of the young season.
 
HPU gave the run back in the top of the fifth on a throwing error and trailed 4-1 entering the Sharks fifth. Layosa got an RBI triple to right for one run, then was balked in by Yellowjacket starter Xavier Haines. After a single and stolen base by senior Jordan Mopas of Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/St. Louis School, Kapeliela tied the game with an RBI single to right.
 
In the sixth, HPU grabbed the lead that it would hold on to when Layosa ripped a two out, two RBI double to right center to put the Sharks up 6-4.
 
The Yellowjackets RJ Roberts led off the seventh with a first-pitch solo home run to left off Mayeshiro, but that was all the righty would allow. Mayeshiro set down the next nine batters in a row for the win.
 
In the second game, Howard Payne hurler Seth Owen struck out the first two Sharks he faced before Mopas doubled down the left field line. Kapeliela grounded to second but the ball was bobbled for an error allowing Mopas to score, then the Sharks opened up the flood gates. When the dust cleared, HPU scored 11 runs on six hits, four walks, two wild pitches, two hit batters and HPU never looked back.
 
The Sharks added nine more in the bottom of the fourth on four hits, five walks, and two hit batters. The big shot was a two RBI double by freshman catcher Kiefer Morgan of Las Vegas, Nev./Shadow Ridge in his first collegiate at bat.
 
HPU allowed four runs to score in the fifth and sixth innings, but the Sharks closed the door when Myers came in with two out in the sixth and set down the four Howard Payne batters he faced.
 
The Sharks travel to the Big Island next weekend for a series against Hawai'i Hilo. Friday's series opening doubleheader at Wong Stadium in Hilo will open PacWest Conference play for both teams. While the doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday's single game are non-conference affairs. Friday and Saturday's twinbills start at 3 p.m., with Sunday's game starting at 2 p.m.