WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University took an early lead but it wasn't enough as visiting Saint Martin's rallied to beat HPU 9-2 in the opener of a five-game non-conference series on Friday night at Hans L'Orange Park.
 
The Sharks (4-1) saw the Saints (3-6) break open a 4-2 contest with four unearned runs in the top of the eighth to seal the contest.
 
Sophomore righthander Jack O'Brien from San Diego/Westview (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing three runs, only one earned, on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts in four innings.
 
Saint Martin's Justice Yamashita (1-2) got his first victory of the season, throwing seven innings allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Ryan Driscoll followed with two innings of perfect ball chalking up three strikeouts.
 
The Sharks were led offensively by graduate transfer T.J. Smith of Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley who went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
 
HPU collected its runs in the bottom of the first the Sharks collected straight hits to set up Smith who singled to short for the first run. Sophomore designated hitter Haydon Huff of Riverside, Calif./Woodcrest Christian lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate a second run for the 2-0 lead.
 
Unfortunately for the Sharks, that would be the last run of the game. Yamashita settled down and allowed only one more hit over the next six innings.
 
Meanwhile, the Sharks were their own worst enemy in the field committing four errors that allowed six unearned runs after the opening inning.
 
The Sharks and Saints have two more doubleheaders this weekend. Saturday's twinbill starts at 2 p.m., and Sunday's at Noon at Hans L'Orange Park.