HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University picked up its first win of the season, then suffered a meltdown split against Hawai'i Hilo. HPU took the first game 7-4, but fell in the second 9-7 in a game called after six innings due to darkness at UH Hilo's Hill Stadium.
 
The Sharks (1-7, 1-3) came back from a 3-1 first game deficit with six runs over the last four innings to grab their first triumph of the season. But the Vulcans (3-4, 3-1) returned the favor in the nightcap, scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-7 lead when the game was called due to darkness.
 
Senior righthander Nico Gomez of Stockton, Calif./Saint Mary's HS (1-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing one run on five hits in 4.1 innings with one walk an four strikeouts. Sophomore starting righthander Cole Mayeshiro of Mililani, Hawai'i/Mililani got no decision after allowing three runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings with a walk and three strikeouts.
 
Junior Micah Layosa of Lihue, Hawai'i/Kauai went 2-for-4 in the first game with two runs scored. Freshman leftfielder Cole Kashimoto was 1-for-3 with two walks, but his one hit was the 2-RBI double in the sixth that gave HPU the lead they wouldn't relinquish. Freshman first baseman Noah Blythe of Santa Clarita, Calif./Canyon and junior catcher Brandon Booz of Turlock, Calif./Turlock both had two hit games as well.
 
HPU trailed 3-1 heading into the sixth and loaded the bases with one out on a single and two walks. A wild pitch scored Layosa who had the single before Kashimoto doubled down the left field line to drive in two and give HPU a 4-3 lead.
 
In the seven, the Sharks added two more as junior rightfielder D.J. Stephens of Nanakuli, Hawai'i/Saint Louis School delivered an RBI double and Layosa scampered home on another UHH wild pitch for a 6-3 lead.
 
HPU added an insurance run in the ninth on an RBI single freshman shortstop Darius Price from Fontana, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga. The Vulcans added another in the bottom of the ninth on a Lawson Faria RBI single to provide the final 7-4 HPU win.
 
The second game went from a dream to a nightmare for the Sharks.
 
HPU built a 7-4 lead after the top of the sixth inning, only to see the bullpen disintegrate and allow UH Hilo to win 9-7. The game was halted due to darkness combined with a travel curfew.
 
The bottom of the sixth spoiled a great outing by freshman righthander Gavin Pringle of Duncan, British Columbia, Canada/Cowichan Secondary. Pringle threw five innings of two hit baseball, but was tagged with four unearned runs to go with three walks and two strikeouts. Freshman righthanded reliever Makana Quia of Waipahu, Hawai'i/Waipahu allowed one run on two hits by the two batters he faced, while senior righty Grant Dragmire of Elk Grove, Calif./Bradshaw Christian (0-1) went two-thirds of an inning facing six batters and allowing four runs on four hits with a walk. Freshman righty Daniel Cortez of Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Ranch was on the mound for the final out when the Vulcans were gunned down at the plate on an attempted steal of home.
 
UH Hilo reliever John Kea (1-0) got the win, recording three outs without allowing a hit or being charged for a run. Starter Brandyn Lee-Lehano allowed five runs, four earned on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts in three innings. Aaron Davies threw two innings allowing two unearned runs on two hits with two strikeouts.
 
Stephens led the HPU offense in the second game, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Kashimoto and Blythe each had RBIs with a hit and junior centerfielder Braxton Wehrle of Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
 
The Sharks overcame a 4-2 deficit in the third inning, scoring three with two out against Lee-Lehano after an errant throw on a stolen base attempt allowed Booz to score and Stephens followed with his 2-RBI single for the 5-4 lead.
 
HPU added two more in the top of the sixth, as Stephens scored on an error and Kashimoto plated Price with a sacrifice fly.
 
The Vulcans loaded the bases with no one out and got two runs thanks to a pair of RBI singles. But after the bases were loaded a gain on a walk, designated hitter Ryan Cho tripled off to left field off of Dragmire, scoring three and putting UH Hilo ahead 9-7. Cho tried to steal home on reliever Cortez who threw him out at the plate to end the game.
 
This ended the first weekend of several between HPU and UH Hilo, the only baseball playing members of the PacWest in the Hawai'i pod. The teams will play again next weekend in Hilo in a pair of doubleheaders. The contests were originally scheduled for Oahu, but had to be moved as permits are not yet being issued for adult play by the city and county of Honolulu at Hans L'Orange Park. The first pitch next Saturday and Sunday is at noon at UH Hilo's campus facility, George and Marion Hall Stadium.