HONOLULU - The Hawaii Pacific University softball team wrapped up their regular season play against Chaminade University Friday afternoon at the Silversword Field at Sand Island Park.

The Sharks (22-30, 17-15 PacWest) won two crucial PacWest matchups over the Silverswords (22-25, 14-18 PacWest), clinching them a spot in the PacWest conference playoffs.

Game One

Hawaii Pacific looked to jump ahead early to begin the double-header. Back-to-back singles by Tiari Hernandez and Brandi Leong in the top of the first put the Sharks in prime position to strike early. A long fly out by Tita Saunders helped Hernandez to cross the plate to give HPU an early 1-0 lead.

Little did both teams know, game one was set to be a pitchers duel. The next six half innings saw Hawaii Pacific pitcher Taylor Thompson and Chaminade pitcher Jaeda Cabunoc not allow a single hit. The Silverswords broke the cold streak in the fourth, but to no avail, as Thompson quickly moved through that inning.

The bottom of the sixth showed the biggest threat to Thompson. Two consecutive two-out singles by Chaminade threatened to possibly tie the game up. However, an interference call on the following play shut down any chance of that. Thompson dealt her way through the seventh as HPU took game one 1-0 over CUH.

Hernandez, Leong, Saunders, and Hailey Yoshida all walked away with a single hit, while Saunders brought in the game winning run in the first.

Thompson threw a complete game, only allowing three hits in the process. She also struck out eight batters, which ties her second most of the season.

Game Two

Once again, the pitchers for both sides were dealing. Through the first three innings, only Chaminade had a hit to their name.

But just like game one, Hawaii Pacific would be the one to break through the scoreless seal. To lead off the top of the fourth, Tita Saunders took the second pitch she saw and cranked a ball into the right center gap. Using her speed, she made it all the way to third base for a triple. One batter later, Kanoe Tanigawa shot a single up the middle to bring home Saunders.

In the bottom half of the fourth, the Silverswords were looking to respond. After surrendering an early out, three consecutive players were able to reach on base to load them up. HPU pitcher Gianna Kerschbaum got the second out on a fielder's choice, as second baseman Brandi Leong gunned down the runner at home. Finally, a strange sequence saw the runner on third get caught stealing home base to end the inning.

Moving into the fifth, some two-out magic helped Hawaii Pacific extend their lead by a run. Saunders once again found herself on the base path, earning a single and then advancing to third on a stolen base plus an error. Hailey Yoshida proceeded to smoke a double toward the right center gap, giving HPU a 2-0 lead.

Then in the sixth, two free bases by Neva Poulin and Kaylyn Dosch put a pair of fast runners on for the Sharks. Jenasis Guerrero then came in to pinch hit, and slapped a single to right field, plating Poulin. Finally, a flyout by Tiari Hernandez traveled far enough to allow Dosch to come in and score a fourth run for Hawaii Pacific.

The Silverswords applied pressure in the sixth and seventh inning, scoring a couple of runs. However, thanks to the insurance runs added in the top of the sixth frame, HPU closed out the season sweep over island rival Chaminade, winning game two 4-2.

Saunders and Yoshida were the big bats in game two, collecting a pair of hits each. Meanwhile, Hernandez, Yoshida, Tanigawa, and Guerrero were the ones to bring home the runs.

Kerschbaum and Yoshida held it down in the circle for Hawaii Pacific. They gave up a run each, but combined for five strikeouts.

Up Next

Due to the results today, the Hawaii Pacific softball team clinched a spot in the PacWest conference playoffs taking place in La Mirada, California. Their opponent is yet to be determined. However, the first round of playoffs is scheduled to start on Wednesday, May 3, at Freedom Field.