The date may or may not be meaningful when the postseason selections are made later in the season, but let the record show that it was Feb. 14 when the UH-Hilo softball team started to make key adjustments.
The tinkering came primarily at the plate Sunday for the Vulcans, who beat Montana State 4-1 and Western Washington 8-3 to close the Dixie State Softball Tournament in St. George, Utah.
Turning the tables on two teams it lost to Friday, mustering only one run combined, UH-Hilo takes a 8-5 record into Pacific West Conference play. The Vulcans host BYU-Hawaii on Friday and Saturday in noon doubleheaders.
“We’re starting to find the right combinations,” Vulcans coach Peejay Brun said. “The road trip has been about the pitchers working together to find ways to keep the other teams down.”
Danielle Wilson improved to 5-2 (4.08 ERA) in the first game Sunday, yielding four hits in 6 1/3 innings, and freshman Billi Derleth (3-3, 3.05 ERA) struck out five against Western Washington, allowing only four hits.
Danielle Pulido hit a two-run home run to back Derleth, and Victoria Garcia continues to be UH-Hilo’s most trusted run-producer, adding a two-run single. The junior shortstop, a junior college transfer from San Pedro, Calif., is hitting .372 and leads the team with two home runs and 14 RBIs.
UH-Hilo came through with the timely hits Brun had been looking for against Montana State. Cristina Menjivar, Garcia and Bailey Gaspar each collected RBI singles and Angela Aguinaga doubled in a run.
Menjivar, a junior college transfer from San Jose State, tacked on a two-run double against Western Washington. She is hitting .378 with nine RBIs.
“We’re focusing on doing the little things,” Brun said. “Focused on getting base hits more than trying to make the big play.”
The Vulcans already have avenged three of their five losses.
“I do think these two wins will help when it comes to regional time,” Brun said.
Derleth pitched a four-hit shutout against Western Oregon and the Vulcans received two fine pitching performances in winning twice at the Dixie State Softball Tournament.
Garcia cranked a two-run home run to back Derleth in a 3-0 victory against Western New Mexico (3-10).
Derleth struck out seven and walked two. Earlier in the day, Wilson didn’t allow a run in four innings as UH-Hilo (6-5) defeated Western Oregon (2-4) 9-2.
Menjivar delivered an RBI double and a two-run single, Brandi Wilson was 3 for 4 with two runs scored and Brittany Huff hit a two-run double.
On Sunday, UH-Hilo finishes tournament play against Montana State and Western Washington, two teams it lost to Friday.
PacWest honor
Chaminade senior Chelsea Camello, a 2012 Waiakea graduate, was named the PacWest pitcher of the week.
The right-hander earned the win over Saint Martin’s, tossing 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief after the Saints scored six runs over the first three innings. She scattered four hits and struck out one. Camello did not allow an earned run in her first 7 1/3 innings pitched this season.
Baseball
Vul senior right-hander Jordan Kurokawa was selected the PacWest pitcher of the week.
In a 1-0 season-opening win over UH-Manoa,he tossed a two-hit shutout and struck out seven. He walked two in the complete-game gem.
After back-to-back singles in the third inning, Kurokawa retired the next eight Rainbow Warriors in order. He then retired the final nine hitters in order, allowing the Vuls score in the bottom of the seventh inning to stand up.
