Colleen Aubrey produced four more hits Wednesday and has 43 on the season.
Colleen Aubrey produced four more hits Wednesday and has 43 on the season.
But perhaps none of her at-bats were bigger or more opportune than the walk she drew for the University of Hawaii at Hilo against Notre Dame de Namur. It helped the Vulcans rally for six runs in the sixth inning behind a pair of two-out hits, and they beat the Argonauts 6-5 to sweep a doubleheader in Belmont, Calif.
“Everything we worked on is coming into place,” UH-Hilo coach Peejay Brun said. “They set the goals of playing with a lot of energy and heart.”
More specifically, what had failed the Vulcans (16-13, 11-8 Pacific West Conference) during a recent homestand was the lack of big hits, but that all changed during the sixth when Brittany Huff and Emily Greene both hit two-run doubles with two outs to put UH-Hilo ahead.
“We focused a lot on situational hitting and hitting with pressure,” Brun said.
Vanessa Salinas pitched a two-hit shutout with five strikeouts as the Vulcans won the first game 6-0. Salinas nailed down the save in the second game with two more shutout innings after Danielle Wilson (6-5) was shaky through five.
Aubrey had two hits in each game, raising her average to a PacWest-leading .473.
Danielle Pulido’s hit finally put UH-Hilo on the board in the second game against the Argonauts (14-17, 9-7). With two outs, Aubrey walked with the bases loaded, setting the table for Huff and Greene.
Salinas improved to 10-7 and lowered her ERA to 2.16 with her second save.
“It was a good day,” Brun said after the Vulcans secured their second sweep of the road trip.
They’ll head to Turlock, Calif., for the Tournament of Champions on Friday.
Lady Vuls finish play
Erin Costes’ 8-over 80 was the the highlight for the Vulcans on the final day of the Division I Anuenue Spring Break Classic at The Bay Course in Kapalui, Maui.
Costes tied for 82nd in the 91-player field at 34-over 250. Fellow UH-Hilo freshman Andi Igawa closed with an 86 and was another six strokes back in 85th. Sophomore Mariah Paiste (85) was last at 63-over.
Cal Davis’ Andrea Wong (70) pocketed a three-stroke victory, finishing at 7-under and leading the Aggies (1-under 863) to the team title.
The University of Hawaii was 11th, 59 strokes behind. Raquel Ek (74) tied for 25th at 7-over.