HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University scored in the first inning, but Hawai'i Hilo used a big third inning for a 6-1 triumph in a PacWest Conference softball game. However, the rains returned an washed out the planned second and third games of the day.
 
The Sharks fell to 0-3, while the Vulcans picked up their season opener.
 
HPU got the game underway with a leadoff walk by junior Cieana Curran of Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/Campbell, who came around to score on and RBI single from sophomore Kanoe Tanigawa of Mililani, Hawai'i/Maryknoll for a 1-0 lead.
 
That lead held until the bottom of the third when a single and an error set the table for Vevesi Li'ili'i who blasted a homer to left for a 3-1 lead. RBI singles from Skylar Thomas and Chloe Domingo along with a bases-loaded walk by Angel Prewitt put the Vulcans up 6-1 after three.
 
Neither team scored again.
 
Tanigawa was the offensive standout, going 2-for-3 with the RBI for the Sharks.
 
HPU junior righty Malia Torres of Danville, Calif./Monte Vista (0-3) picked up the loss, going two-and-two thirds innings allowing six runs, two earned, on six hits with two walks and a strikeout. Junior lefthander Megan Wilson of Santa Clarita, Calif./West Ranch hurled 3.1 innings in relief allowing just one Vulcan hit with two strikeouts.
 
UHH starter Valerie Alvarado (1-0) picked up the win allowing the one run on four hits and three walks.
 
The Sharks are off next weekend, and resume play on Friday, March 26 when they visit cross-town rival Chaminade in a doubleheader.