HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University took it on the chin twice on Thursday, falling by run rule to Hawai'i Hilo in both games of a doubleheader, 11-3 in five innings and 10-2 in six innings at the Walter Victor Complex.
 
The Sharks (8-15, 8-15) and Vulcans (15-8, 15-8) played two on Thursday because of forecasted inclement weather on Friday.
 
Sophomore Brandi Leong of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/Leilehua was an offensive standout of the game for the Sharks, going 3-for-5 on the afternoon with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Senior Cieana Curran of Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/Campbell was 2-for-3 with three walks, an RBI and a run scored as well.
 
The Sharks looked to have game one under control, scoring twice in the second inning on a Vulcan error and an RBI single by Leong. They carried the 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth.
 
But in that inning, two two out throwing errors, a wild pitch and an RBI single plated four runs to put UH Hilo on top 4-2.
 
The Sharks countered with a run in the top of the fifth as Leong led the inning off with a double and HPU loaded the bases with a hit batter and walk to set up Curran's RBI walk to make it 4-3.
 
But in the bottom of the fifth, the Vulcans started hitting and loaded the bases, then didn't stop until they piled up seven runs to run rule the Sharks 11-3.
 
Junior righthander Malia Torres of Danville, Calif./Monte Vista (6-7) was charged with all 11 runs, seven earned, on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Senior lefthander Megan Wilson of Santa Clarita, Calif./West Ranch relieved for three batters, allowing a hit and walk in a third of an inning.
 
UH Hilo's Leah Gonzales (6-1) picked up the win, allowing three runs, one earned, on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in five innings.
 
Game two saw the Vulcans score twice in the first and rolled to the 10-2 six inning win.
 
The Sharks scored a run in the top of the second when sophomore Noel "Tita" Saunders of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City smacked an RBI single into centerfield to score sophomore Kanoe Tanigawa of Mililani, Hawai'i/Maryknoll.
 
HPU also scored in the fifth on a ground out RBI by senior catcher Mary Dungey of Las Vegas, Nev./Silverado.
 
After scoring twice in the first and three times in both the second and third innings, the Vulcans scored once in the fourth and once in the sixth to end the game.
 
Wilson (2-7) picked up the loss for HPU, allowing 10 runs, five earned, on 14 hits with three walks in the complete game of 5.2 innings.
 
Sara Bhatt (5-2) was credited with the win, allowing one run on one hit with three walks. Starter Valer Alvarado was lifted after three innings and could not get the decision after allowing a run on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
 
The Sharks are scheduled to close the regular season on Friday with a single game against the PacWest Hawai'i champ Vulcans. Weather permitting, the first pitch is slated for 11 a.m. at the Walter Victor Complex.