The University of Hawaii at Hilo softball team took care of business on Sunday, beating Central Washington 4-2 in the silver bracket semifinals at the Mizuno Tournament of Champions in Turlock, Calif.
But the Vulcans then had to miss the silver bracket final because they already reached the NCAA game maximum for the season. Because of the restriction, the Vulcans’ second game Sunday was ruled a no contest.
UC San Diego defeated Hawaii Pacific 2-0 in the silver finale. If the Vulcans hadn’t reached their game maximum, they would have played the UCSD/HPU winner for the silver medal.
With the win over Central Washington, UH-Hilo, under head coach Jaime Wallin, improved to 33-15 overall and finished 5-1 in the TOC — the best record ever for the Vulcans in the 21-team event that includes the top teams in the West Region.
Junior Vanessa Salinas (18-5) went the distance to earn the win over Central Washington (16-13). She allowed seven hits and two runs while striking out eight.
Kristina Victa (double), Rebecca Lee and Asha Prithviraj each had two hits to lead UH-Hilo. Emily Greene had an RBI for the Vulcans, who took advantage of four Wildcat errors to scores three runs.
Remy Bradley and Michaela Hazlett had two hits apiece to lead Central Washington.
Wildcats starter Maria Gau (7-8) went the distance and took the loss. She allowed eight hits and four runs, but only one run was earned. She struck out two and walked one.
The Vulcans will next play a doubleheader against Brigham Young-Hawaii on Friday at Laie, Oahu.
Baseball
Vulcans swept again
Hawaii Pacific swept a baseball doubleheader from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, 10-7 and 9-6, on Sunday on Oahu.
The nonconference twinbill was played at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu.
It was the second straight day the host Sea Warriors (24-14 overall, 13-1 Pacific West Conference) swept the Vulcans (8-32-1, 7-25-1).
On Saturday, HPU prevailed 5-1 and 5-2 in conference games.
In Game 1 Sunday, the Vulcans outhit the Sea Warriors 14-8, but a six-run rally in the sixth inning gave HPU the lead for good at 7-6.
HPU then added a solo run in the seventh and two in the eighth while holding the Vulcans to a run in the eighth.
Derek Nakasato, Kris Kahanu and Tyler Tokunaga each had two hits for the Sea Warriors.
Tyler Nitahara and Jordan Murai each had three hits to lead UH-Hilo, while Keenan Kaluau had two. Austin Cusack drove in three runs, and Steffan Miner had two RBIs for the visitors.
HPU reliever Bryson Gauthe (1-0) got the win. UH-Hilo reliever Richie Mariano (0-2) took the loss.
In Game 2, Chad Bolibol had two hits and three RBIs, Russell Doi added two hits and Kale Sumner recorded a hit and two RBIs to lead the Sea Warriors to a 9-6 win.
Zach Hamasaki and Garrett Micheels each had a hit and two RBIs for the Vulcans.
HPU starter Nick Woodward (3-1) got the win. UH-Hilo starter Jeremy Dela Cruz took the loss.
