HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University allowed Division I neighbor Hawai'i to post a nine-run seventh inning to break open a tight contest as UH defeated HPU 14-3 on Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
The Sharks (0-2) went into the bottom of the seventh trailing the Rainbow Warriors (3-2) 4-3, before the Bows tagged the Sharks for nine runs on two doubles, a triple, a bases-loaded walk and a bases-loaded hit batsman.
 
HPU was paced offensively by sophomore catcher Kyle Layugan of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Junior centerfielder Diego Harris of Los Angeles, Calif./Crespi was 2-for-2 with an RBI.
 
HPU starting righthanded pitcher Brandon Peterson of Stockton, Calif./Excel Academy did not figure in the decision. He pitched four innings and left with a 3-2 lead, allowing just two runs on two hits with four strikeouts and five walks, but hurled 89 pitches. Righthanded reliever Daniel Cortez of Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Ranch (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in one inning with a strikeout and two walks.
 
After allowing two runs in the opening inning on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, the Sharks settled down and came back in the top of the third. HPU loaded the bases with an out for Layugan, who drove a single up the middle to plate two runs to tie the game at 2-2.
 
In the top of the fifth, Layugan doubled to start the inning and Joe Gallagher singled to put runners on the corner. Harris bunted to sacrifice Layugan home, but reached when the throw to first was dropped by the UH second baseman and put the Sharks up 3-2. After a second error, HPU loaded the bases with one out, Price grounded to pitcher Tai Atkins who came home with the throw. Gallagher was called out at the plate and HPU didn't score again.
 
The Bows tied the contest in the fifth on a home run from Kole Kaler, then took the lead in the sixth on an RBI single for a 4-3 lead.
 
The seventh was a disaster for the Sharks, as UH loaded the bases with two walks and a fielder's choice throw that didn't beat the advancing runner. A bases loaded walk, followed by a 3-run double broke the game open. Then the Bows reloaded the bases before a run scoring hit batsman, a 3-run triple and an RBI double made it a nine-run inning.
 
UH added another run in the eighth.
 
The Sharks knocked out Hawai'i starter Cade Halemanu who went 2.2 innings allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Atkins allowed a run on two hits in 1.1 innings with two strikeouts and a walk. Reliever Buddie Pindle (1-1) entered in the fourth inning and went the rest of the way, allowing just two hits and a walk with three strikeouts to record the win.
 
HPU and Hawai'i meet again on Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.