Box Score The Sharks improved to 5-1 in PacWest Conference play and 13-4 overall ahead of a four-game series this week against the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (7-7, 3-5). Other than Chaminade being a thorn in the side of this baseball team, there has been a lot to like about what Coach Dane Fujinaka has brought in this, his third year as Head Coach of the HPU Men's Baseball Team. The culture and chemistry has been apparent all year in the way they approach each game, pitch, or at bat. The Sharks are close as a team and never give up on themselves or each other.

Over this past weekend's sweep over Azusa Pacific, all that was evident again. While Friday had a couple grind 'em out games with a come from behind win and another that seemed like things just couldn't get going, Saturday was a day that saw the Sharks put up double digits in both games and it ultimately made for a pretty good weekend. With a Sunday off to go surfing, the baseball team couldn't have really asked for much more, but as the coaches and players will all tell you there are plenty of things to work on and a long way to go still.

There have been ups and downs, as there always is in baseball. Some days the pitchers are on it and other days they aren't. Some times a hitter is hot and other times they are in a slump. There was some of both on Saturday. Shea Blanchard (41) started the early game, had trouble locating his stuff, and couldn't get out of the first inning. An off day for the same pitcher that struck out five against Cal State LA and got the win against Hilo. He wasn't the only pitcher struggling for the Sharks as they went through seven of them in that first game but a strong, balanced offense led by Daniel Johnson's three for three day prevailed in the 10-5 win. The second game saw a reversal of fortune for another Shea. Shea Lake (15) pitched an impressive six innings of shutout baseball after his last start saw him leave during the first inning. Baseball givith and takith away sometimes. On this day, the sun was shining on the Lake literally and figuratively. "I went out there and not only trusted my stuff, but I had complete trust in my defense behind me. Especially my guys up the middle, they were making great defensive plays and there were no errors all day." Those guys up the middle were doing it on offense too! Tejean Smith (7) played a solid SS and was a spark plug with the bat. In the lead off spot, he led off the bottom of the first with a triple that instantly got the team going. He also led off the fourth with a double off the outfield fence on the way to a 3-4 day with three runs. "I was trying to do what I could to help my team looking at pitches, letting them know what I was seeing, and getting that momentum for us." Second baseman Nicholas Jio (2) has been hitting the weigh troom and getting stronger and the proof was in his two weekend home runs and his 2-3, 5 RBI day on Saturday. "This weekend was huge for us. We had never beaten them before and for us to sweep them like this was huge for us to see how far our team has come."

They have come a long way and hope to keep it going. Come out and cheer on the Sharks at CORP for their doubleheaders 3/6 & 3/7 (games at 11 & 2).