HONOLULU – Hawai'i Pacific University saw Hawai'i Hilo plate two runs in the fifth inning and two in the ninth to beat HPU 6-4 in PacWest Conference Hawai'i action on Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
The Sharks (4-16, 4-12) and Vulcans (12-7, 12-4) started a five-game weekend series with the contest.
 
HPU had a strong offensive performance by senior designated hitter Micah Layosa of Lihue, Hawai'i/Kauai who went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore shortstop Richard Higa of Honolulu/University Lab went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and freshman first baseman Noah Blythe of Santa Clarita, Calif./Canyon was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
 
Senior righthander Brandon Peterson (1-4) of Stockton, Calif./Excel Academy took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Sophomore righthander Stone Parker of Kailua, Hawai'i/Kailua gave up one hit with a strikeout in 2.2 innings, while senior righty Grant Dragmire of Elk Grove, Calif./Bradshaw Christian allowed two runs on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts in the final two innings.
 
UH Hilo's Kyle Alcorn (3-2) picked up the victory, allowing two runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Takashi Umino retired the only batter he faced, while set-up man Brandyn Lee-Lehano allowed a run on five hits with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings. John Kea tallied his fourth save of the season with one run on one hit in 1.1 innings.
 
UH Hilo drew first blood with an RBI single in the top of the first after a single and passed ball for a 1-0 lead.
 
HPU responded with two runs in the bottom of the first as Layosa singled and sophomore catcher Kyle Layugan of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute doubled before Higa's RBI ground out scored Layosa. Blythe followed with an RBI double for the 2-1 lead.
 
The Vulcans tied it with a run in the top of the second on another RBI single.
 
The Sharks and Vulcans held at 2-2 until the fifth. UH Hilo coupled doubles to take the lead, then added another run on a sacrifice bunt for a 4-2 advantage.
 
HPU fought back in the seventh, getting runners to second and third with two out. Higa got an infield single off the glove of the pitcher to drive in one run, but Layosa tried to score from second on the play and was thrown out at the plate, pulling HPU within a run at 4-3.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Vulcans got a runner on being hit by a pitch, then got insurance runs on an RBI double and RBI single for the 6-3 lead.
 
The Sharks added a run in the bottom of the ninth when junior centerfielder Diego Harris of Los Angeles, Calif./Crespi was hit by a pitch, followed by Layosa's RBI double. But he was stranded at second to finish the game.
 
The Sharks and Vulcans have doubleheaders scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. UH Hilo needs one win in the four games to clinch the PacWest Hawai'i title. First pitch both days is set for 11 a.m. at Murakami Stadium.