ST. GEORGE, Utah – Hawai'i Pacific University picked up a win and suffered a loss on the opening day of the Dixie State Courtyard Classic at the Canyons Softball Complex on Thursday.
 
The Sharks (2-5) defeated Fort Lewis (Colo.) 6-3 in the opening game of the tournament, but dropped an 8-7 decision to Central Washington in the second game.
 
Senior shortstop Tiana Cantero-Kawelo of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/Leilehua had the hot bat out of the leadoff spot for the day. Cantero-Kawelo went 4-for-7 for the day, that included going 3-for-3 at the plate against Fort Lewis with two runs scored. Junior Emilee Leonard of LaMirada, Calif./St. Paul was 1-for-2 in the first game with two RBIs and a run scored, while going 1-for-4 with a run scored against Central Washington. Freshman Leipua Kaui of Kapa'a, Hawai'i/Kapa'a was homered for her only hit against CWU in a 1-for-3 performance, while scoring two runs.
 
Against Fort Lewis, the Sharks got an RBI single from freshman Brandi Leong of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/Leilehua in the second and a two RBI double from Leonard in the third to go up 3-0.
 
The Skyhawks rallied with a home runs from Angelique Elemen with a solo round tripper in the fourth and a two-run shot from Pilar Gutierrez in the fifth.
 
The Sharks used a three-run bottom of the fifth to take the win as freshman Hailey McKing of Linn, Mo./Linn doubled to leadoff the inning and Cantero-Kawelo beat out a bunt to set up sophomore Cieana Curran of Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/Campbell laced a two RBI doubled through the left side and later would score on a throwing error on a steal attempt.
 
Senior Alexis Morales (1-1) of San Diego/Mater Dei Catholic picked up the win against FLC allowing three runs in 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Senior Jordan Curry of Farmington, N.M./Farmington chalked up her first save with two perfect innings and two strikeouts, including the last out of the contest.
 
Against Central Washington, the Sharks scored first on Kaui's homer to right center in the second for a 1-0 lead. However in the bottom of the frame, a one out walk, a double and a throwing error led to a five run inning. The Wildcats collected another run with a bases loaded walk in the third.
 
The Sharks answered with four runs in the fourth after a pair of singles followed by a throwing error plated two runs and an RBI double from freshman Noel Saunders of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City chalked up another. Saunders score later on a throwing error.
 
After allowing a CWU run in the bottom of the fifth, HPU scored twice more after three Wildcat fielding errors allowed two HPU scores including Saunders with the game-tying run with two out.
 
But in the bottom of the sixth, Central Washington used a walk, a single and a bunt single to load the bases for a sacrifice fly from Alycia Bannan to plate the winning run.
 
Curry started but did not get a decision, allowing six runs (four earned) on three hits in 2.1 innings as she walked five batters. Leonard (0-2), pitched 3.2 innings allowing two runs of three hits with three walks and five strikeouts, but allowed the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth.
 
CWU's Samantha Stanfield (1-1) got the win and Lexie Strasser (1) the save.
 
HPU is set to play twice again on Friday as they face Colorado State-Pueblo at 7 a.m. HST (10 a.m. MST) and Chadron State (Neb.) at noon HST (3 p.m. MST).