IRVINE, Calif. - Hawai'i Pacific Softball (0-2) opened up its season at the Concordia Kickoff Classic with games against Cal Poly Humboldt and No.14 Cal State San Marcos.

GAME 1 

The Sharks showed offensive balance and late-game fight but came up just short in a 6-4 setback to Cal Poly Humboldt. 

The Sharks collected 10 hits and scored in four different innings, trimming the deficit to one run twice and bringing the tying run to the plate in the seventh. Alexis Oshiro led the way, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored with a single, a double, and a triple, leaving her just a home run shy of hitting the cycle. Makayla Pagampao added three hits, including a double, and scored once.

HPU answered Cal Poly Humboldt's two-run opening inning with a run in the bottom of the first. Brianna Rodela singled to center to drive in Oshiro, putting the Sharks on the board early. Hawai'i Pacific continued to chip away, scoring in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to stay within striking distance throughout the contest.

In the fourth, Oshiro delivered again, tripling to right field to score Taryn Hirano, who reached base twice via walk. The Sharks closed the gap to 4-3 before adding another run in the fifth when Jade Retuta doubled to right to bring home Pagampao, making it a one-run game.

Starter Lily Pardini worked five innings in the circle, while Grace Osborne and Naomi Cummings combined to hold Cal Poly Humboldt to one run over the final two innings. Cummings recorded the final out in the seventh to keep the Sharks within reach.

Hawai'i Pacific put the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh and forced Cal Poly Humboldt to make plays to secure the win, underscoring the Sharks' resilience in their season opener.

GAME 2

Hawaii Pacific University continued to gain early-season experience against top competition, falling 8-0 to No. 14 Cal State San Marcos on Friday evening.

The Sharks (0-2) limited the Cougars to a scoreless fourth and fifth inning and received a solid relief outing from Naomi Cummings, who worked 1 1/3 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out one. Cummings helped settle the game after Cal State San Marcos took a strong lead over the first three frames.

Offensively, Brianna Rodela recorded Hawaii Pacific's lone hit, lining a single through the left side in the fifth inning. The Sharks also forced a Cal State San Marcos error and put pressure on the defense late, showing continued competitiveness against the nationally ranked opponent

Starter Angelica Oseguera battled through 2 2/3 innings in the circle, but gave up eight runs on 10 hits with five earned runs before handing things off to the bullpen. Defensively, the Sharks turned several routine groundouts and kept Cal State San Marcos off the scoreboard over the final two innings.

Hawaii Pacific looks to build on the outing as the Sharks continue their opening weekend at the Concordia Kickoff Classic tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. HST/ 11:00 a.m. PST against Colorado Christian and at 1:30 p.m. HST/ 3:30 p.m. PST against No. 17 Cal State East Bay.