COSTA MESA, Calif. — Hawai'i Pacific came out swinging and never looked back, using a seven-run first inning and a late grand slam to roll past Vanguard 17-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Dean Harvey Field.

The Sharks set the tone immediately, exploding for seven runs in the opening frame. Tyler Arnold opened the scoring with an RBI single before Owen Wessel ripped a two-run double to extend the lead. Christian Perez followed with a two-run single, and Taydem Hashimoto added an RBI knock as HPU quickly took full control at 7-0.

Wessel stayed hot in the second inning, launching a three-run home run to push the Sharks' lead to double digits at 10-0.

On the mound, Rylen Bayne provided stability, earning the win with six innings of work while allowing three runs and striking out five. Gavin Pacheco closed things out in relief to secure the victory.

After Vanguard scored three in the fourth, Hawai'i Pacific responded with a decisive seventh inning. Taydem Hashimoto and Noah Hata each drove in runs before Arnold added another RBI single. Brock Wirthgen delivered the knockout blow, crushing a grand slam to cap the Sharks' 17-run performance.

HPU totaled 16 hits on the day, led by Wessel's three-hit, five-RBI outing. Wirthgen finished with four RBIs, while Arnold and Hashimoto each added multi-hit performances.

With the win, Hawai'i Pacific improves to 21-17 overall, continuing to build momentum down the stretch.