University of Hawaii at Hilo softball coach PeeJay Brun wasn’t going to get greedy.
University of Hawaii at Hilo softball coach PeeJay Brun wasn’t going to get greedy.
Sure, she would have liked three victories Saturday. But she’ll take two.
Danielle Wilson hit a three-run home run Saturday to back herself in the circle during a 9-1 victory against Azusa Pacific as the Vulcans finally played in front of their home fans.
“Three wins would have been awesome,” Brun said.
Earlier, UH-Hilo held on for an 8-7 victory as Vanessa Salinas drove in six runs in a game that resumed after being delayed by rain Friday. Looking for a rare three-of-a-kind late Saturday afternoon, Azusa’s Madison Hernandez connected for a three-run home run off Salinas as the Vulcans lost 3-0.
“I take the blame for that one,” Brun said. “The girl was on fire and I called the pitch.”
Wilson (5-3) went the distance in the five-inning TKO, striking out four and allowing six hits. Her blast gave UH-Hilo (12-7, 7-2 Pacific West Conference) a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and the Vulcans added to the lead behind Brittany Huff (3 for 3, two RBIs) and Colleen Aubrey (2 for 2, home run, three runs scored).
To start the day, Salinas (7-4) hit a two-run home run and scattered nine hits in the game that marked UH-Hilo’s official home opener.
“I think the girls were itching to play at home,” Brun said.
In a preview of things to come, Hernandez hit a three-run home run off Salinas in the top of the seventh as the Cougars (11-13, 5-8) scored five unearned runs off of the Vulcans’ ace.
In the nightcap, Hernandez went deep again and UH-Hilo couldn’t dent Destinee Levesque despite eight hits. Aubrey collected three more and Wilson had two.
The Vulcans welcome Dixie State for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Monday.