Vulcans earn share of conference title

The University of Hawaii at Hilo swept a doubleheader from Hawaii Pacific University 7-2 and 3-0 on Saturday to claim a share of the Pacific West Conference softball title.

The regular season finale was played at the Vulcans’ field. The first game was delayed by rain.

The high-flying Vulcans share the PacWest crown with Dixie State, which earlier in the day beat Grand Canyon 8-7 and 8-0 to finish off its regular season. However, UH-Hilo earned the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division II West Regional by winning the tiebreaker over the Red Storm. Both teams end PacWest play with 25-7 records.

In the title-clinching Game 2 victory, sophomore Ashley Nelson pitched a shutout to lead UH-Hilo (39-17 overall) past the Sea Warriors (30-19, 19-13 PacWest).

Nelson, a southpaw from San Diego, went the six-inning distance to get the win. Nelson (14-10) allowed six hits while striking out four and walking one. HPU starter Melissa Kirby (11-10) was saddled with the loss. She gave up eight hits and the three runs.

Freshman Brandi Wilson had two hits and two RBIs, including a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning that provided Nelson with all the runs she would need. Sophomore Colleen Aubrey also had two hits, while sophomore Emily Greene drove in the final run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

In Game 1, sophomore Melanie Morelos hit a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning when the Vulcans scored seven runs to grab a 7-2 advantage.

Junior Rebecca Lee led UH-Hilo with three hits and had a run batted in. Junior Kristina Victa added two hits in the eight-hit attack.