Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
The University of Hawaii at Hilo softball team hit another roadblock on its way to the Tournament of Champions.
The Vulcans mustered only a run Tuesday against Dixie State and were swept in a doubleheader, losing 5-0 and 10-1 via the TKO rule in St. George, Utah.
UHH (14-9, 9-8 Pacific West Conference) has lost eight of 10 as it prepares for tournament play Friday in Turlock, Calif.
Lauren Folta threw a five-hit shutout in first game, then Mattie Snow allowed only an unearned run and three hits as the Red Storm (16-7, 9-5) won their ninth straight to jump ahead of the Vulcans into fifth place in the league standings.
Nicole Alconel had two of the five hits off Folta. Ashley Nelson went the distance in the loss. In six innings, she allowed five runs on six hits and two walks and struck out three.
Nicole Chavez batted 2 for 3 with three RBIs to lead the Red Storm, cracking a bases-loaded double in a four-run sixth inning.
Kelsey Mendenhall slammed a three-run homer and Sheila Gelter ripped a two-run homer to chase Jessica Pepin after one inning. She yielded four runs on five hits and one walk. Amber Waracka gave up six runs in five innings on five hits and two walks, and struck out five.
The teams will finish the series with another 11 a.m. doubleheader today.
UHH coach Jaime Wallin couldn’t be reached for comment.
Game 1
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DSU 001 004 x — 5 6 2
Game 2
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UHH 000 000 — 1 3 1
Lancers pour it
on in late innings
Cal Baptist put up five-spots in the seventh and eight innings to cruise past the University of Hawaii at Hilo baseball team 15-3 in Riverside, Calif.
The Pacific West Conference-leading Lancers (26-6, 21-4) won their fifth straight and beat the Vulcans (6-24, 2-18) for the fifth time in as many meetings this season.
UHH has lost 19 of 21.
Second baseman Kevin Odom powered Cal Baptist’s 18-hit attack, finishing 3 for 3 with a home run, double and two RBIs. Odom, who hit a two-run home run in the second inning off losing pitcher Tyler Simao, reached base safely in all five plate appearances.
Vulcans first baseman Stephen Riddle was 3 for 5 and designated hitter Jordan Murai was 2 for 4. Tyson Goo finished with two RBIs, including a run-scoring single in the eighth.
UHH trailed 5-2 after Goo’s groundout plated Daniel Reitz in the top of the seventh inning, but coach Joey Estrella said the Vulcans’ defense was a liability in the seventh.
“We had two opportunities to turn double plays and we just didn’t convert each time,” he said. “In the eighth inning, they just barraged us with hits. What was a good college ballgame turned into a rout, and it was really disappointing, because we played really well up until the seventh.”
Cole Bullard and Matt Daugherty were each 3 for 5 and both collected RBI singles in the seventh and eighth innings.
In six innings, Simao (0-7) allowed eight hits on 11 runs and a walk with a strikeout.
Lancers starter David Herd ran his record to 2-0, allowing six hits and two runs in seven innings. He struck out three and walked three.
UHH reliever Patrick Fletcher was hit hard over two innings: seven hits, seven runs —six earned. He walked two with a strikeout.
Reitz scored two runs. The second baseman singled to lead off the third and cut the lead to 5-1 when Brad Fairweather drew a walk with the bases loaded.
The teams will play a 10 a.m. doubleheader today, then close the four-game series at noon Thursday.
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Cal Baptist 320 000 55x — 15 18 1