IRVINE, Calif. – The Hawai'i Pacific softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Concordia University Irvine on Friday afternoon at Eagles Field, falling 2-0 in the opener before a 12-2 defeat in five innings in game two.
Game one was a tight pitching battle between HPU's Lily Pardini and CUI's Kacie Gossett. Pardini delivered a solid complete-game performance, allowing just two runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out three across six innings.
The Sharks scattered six hits but were unable to push a run across the plate. Taryn Hirano led HPU with two hits, while Danielle Cote, Cayleigh Naito, Saunette Oshiro, and Felicia Tanno each added a hit. Naito also recorded a double in the contest.
Concordia Irvine broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Riley Bigley reached on an error that allowed a run to score. The Eagles added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI double by Caitlynn Campbell to secure the 2-0 win.
In game two, Concordia Irvine jumped out to an early lead with a six-run first inning highlighted by a grand slam from Maddie JeanBlanc.
HPU responded in the second inning to cut the deficit to 6-2. Alexis Oshiro drove in a run on a bunt that forced an error, and Brianna Rodela later scored on a passed ball.
The Eagles extended their lead with two runs in the second and added four more in the fourth inning to seal the 12-2 run-rule victory.
Miquela Leopoldo and Jade Retuta recorded the Sharks' two hits in the nightcap, while Rodela and Leopoldo scored the team's runs.
Trinity Williams took the loss in the circle for HPU, allowing 11 runs, seven earned, over three innings, while Naomi Cummings pitched the final inning in relief.
Hawai'i Pacific moves to 4-16 on the season following the doubleheader, while Concordia Irvine improves to 24-10.