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Hawaii Pacific University Athletics

Softball Senior Night
1
Winner UH Hilo UHH-SB 13-23
0
HPU Sharks HPU 19-28
Winner
UH Hilo UHH-SB
13-23
1
Final
0
HPU Sharks HPU
19-28
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
UH Hilo UHH-SB 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0
HPU Sharks HPU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

W: Malia Risdall (4-7) L: Thompson, Taylor (7-13)

1
UH Hilo UHH-SB 13-24
3
Winner HPU Sharks HPU 20-28
UH Hilo UHH-SB
13-24
1
Final
3
HPU Sharks HPU
20-28
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
UH Hilo UHH-SB 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 7 2
HPU Sharks HPU 3 0 0 0 0 0 X 3 8 3

W: Yoshida, Hailey (8-5) L: Alexis Lacy (6-12)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball Strikes Early in Game Two to Split Senior Night Double-Header with Vulcans

KANEOHE - The Hawaii Pacific University softball team wrapped up their final home series against the University of Hawaii-Hilo Sunday afternoon at Howard A. Okita Field. 

The Sharks (20-28, 15-13 PacWest) got shut out in game one, but struck early and held on in game two to split the double-header against the Vulcans (13-24, 8-15 PacWest). 

HPU celebrated four seniors for senior night today. Brandi Leong, Kanoe Tanigawa, Savanna Salyer-Kovacs, and Tita Saunders were recognized for their leadership, work ethic, and impact they have had on the Hawaii Pacific softball program.

Game One

It was a tough start for the Hawaii Pacific pitching staff, as they saw the bases loaded in the first two innings of game one. Luckily, Taylor Thompson was able to escape those innings with only a single run going against her. 

From there on out Thompson tightened up, only allowing four more runners on the base patch throughout the rest of the game. 

Offensively, the Sharks were having a hard time finding anyone on base. Hawaii-Hilo's pitcher Malia Risdall had pitched through the minimum batters through the first five frames. 

Finally in the sixth, Hoku Ching broke the curse and singled her way onto the bases. She would advance all the way to third, but the HPU offense could not tie the game. Then in the seventh, a big double by Tita Saunders, and a pair of free bases by Hailey Yoshida and Savanna Salyer-Kovacs, presented a bases loaded opportunity for Hawaii Pacific. A hot shot off the bat of Ching looked like it was going to tie the game, but a remarkable jumping catch by second baseman Trinity Favela sealed the door on any chance. HPU fell 1-0 to UHH in game one of the double-header.

Ching, Saunders, and Yoshida led the way with a hit each. Meanwhile, Salyer-Kovacs drew a big walk to load the bases in the seventh. 

Thompson, despite the rough start, completed the game only giving up the one run and four hits. She struck out six batters in the process. 

Game Two

Hawaii Pacific knew they had it in them to score, and showed it right away to start the second game. With one out to their name, four straight singles by Brandi Leong, Tita Saunders, Kanoe Tanigawa, and Hailey Yoshida saw two runners cross the plate. A wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Savanna Salyer-Kovacs helped to plate a third run in the inning. 

As for the Vulcans, they were trying to chip into the lead. In innings 2-3-4, they had multiple runners on base, but Yoshida, who was in the circle for HPU, continued to close out every opportunity UHH had. 

It was in the top of the fifth when Hawaii-Hilo finally broke through. A single and an error allowed Vulcans' player Lauren Avalos to reach second with nobody out. Avalos would finally come around on a single through the right side of the infield to cut Hawaii Pacific's lead down to 3-1. 

There was a late scare in the seventh inning, where an error allowed the Vulcans two runners on base with one out to their name. However, Yoshida was able to get the last two outs in the infield to give Hawaii Pacific the split on senior night. 

Saunders and Tanigawa were the spearhead for the offense, finishing with a pair of hits each. Saunders, Yoshida, and Salyer-Kovacs plated the three runs for HPU.

Meanwhile, Yoshida gave up no earned runs in her start, striking out two batters in the process. 

Up Next

The Sharks have finished all business at home, now it is time for the final stretch as Hawaii Pacific looks to secure a top four spot in the PacWest conference playoffs. Up next is two quick road trips with the first being a rematch against the University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans. They will battle on Sunday, April 23, with first pitch of game one set for 12:00 p.m. HST at the Vulcan Softball Field.  

#GoSharks
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