Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
Jaime Wallin can’t quite put her finger on it, but something changed for the better down the stretch for the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Whether or not that good vibe carries over into today at the NCAA Division II West softball regionals in St. George, Utah, is anybody’s guess.
“We’re young, we’re naive and we’re ready to compete, compete, compete,” Wallin said of squad that has just two seniors. “I honestly don’t think we’re here just to enjoy the experience. The stress is out of the way, we’re done with finals. It time to get down to business.”
The fourth-seeded Vulcans will take on Pacific West Conference rival Dixie State, the top seed, on their home field at 11:30 a.m. HST. The first game features No. 2 Sonoma State (36-19) and Cal State Dominguez (34-21). The double-elimination tournament continues Saturday and a regional champion will be determined Sunday.
UHH has been led all season by top-of-the-order hitters and Kristina Victa and Rebecca Lee, and Thursday they each received what Wallin felt were much-deserved kudos from the PacWest.
Lee, a junior shortstop, was named the league’s Player of the Year after a regular season in which she hit .429, drove in 41 runs and stole 23 bases. Victa, a junior center fielder, nabbed Newcomer of the Year from the leadoff spot, hitting .395 with 53 runs scored and 26 steals. In an oddity, perhaps, neither made first-team all-PacWest. Only sophomore third baseman Emily Greene (.302, eight home runs, 41 RBIs) received that honor for UHH.
Regardless, Wallin had heavy praise for her club’s catalysts.
“I don’t know where this team would be without their contributions,” Wallin said.
En route to sharing the PacWest title, the Red Storm and Vulcans split a doubleheader in Hilo on March 7, however, much has changed since then.
Wallin expects Dixie State to start Michelle Duncan (18-2, 2.25 ERA) in the circle today, while UHH no longer has the services of former ace Vanessa Salinas, who worked double duty in the team’s split and held Dixie State to two runs in 15 innings.
Wallin anticipated using both freshman Hannah Peterson (6-1, 3.22) and sophomore Ashley Nelson (14-10, 2.92), though Peterson was ticketed as the starter.
“Hannah brings a different look and keeps the ball down. Hopefully the infield is up to the challenge,” Wallin said. “They both want the ball, and now is their opportunity to take advantage of that chance.”
The coach was also looking forward to playing in a hitter’s park at altitude.
“I don’t think we’ve reached our power potential yet,” she said. “If somebody leaves the ball over the plate, I expect us to hit it.”
Glance
NCAA West regionals
Double elimination
At Dixie State
Today
Sonoma State (36-19) vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills (34-21), 9 a.m.
UHH (39-17) vs. Dixie State (37-12), 11:30 a.m.
Saturday
Winners’ bracket game, 9 a.m.
Losers’ bracket game, 11:30 a.m.
Elimination game, 2 p.m.
Sunday
Championship game, 10 a.m.
Championship game, 12:30 p.m., if necessary