College softball: Vulcans open trip with split

The UH-Hilo softball team started its road trip off with a split, beating Concordia 5-4 before losing 8-0 in Irvine, Calif.

“We’re not as sharp as we need to be considering the teams we will be playing,” Vulcans coach Peejay Brun said. “We just kept our composure and I think that’s what kept us going in the first game.”

The Vulcans (20-7 overall, 12-2 PacWest) were held to five hits in the first game while Danielle Wilson and Cyanne Fernandez held the Eagles’ hitters to five hits as well, with Brittany Huff’s sacrifice fly providing the go-ahead run.

The Eagles (27-8, 9-5) took early lead on Lauren Rodriguez’s second inning three-run home run. UH-Hilo’s Cristina Menjivar’s two-run home run in the fourth and a bases loaded walk in the fifth knotted the score.

The Eagles took advantage of a Vulcan error to take the 4-3 lead in their half of the fifth.

Grayson Harvey issued three consecutive walks to start the sixth before uncorking a wild-pitch to tie the game. Huff drove one a ball deep the to left field to score the eventual winner.

Wilson went 1 1/3 innings giving up two earned runs on three hits. Fernandez (2-0) picked up the win with a two-hit, 3-walk performance over 5 2/3 innings, giving up a run while striking out one.

Harvey (15-3) took the loss giving up five runs on three hits with seven walks and seven strikeouts.

The Vulcans were held to singles by Brandi Wilson and Angela Aguinaga in the second game, while the Eagles collected nine hits and took advantage of three Vulcan errors.

Billi Derleth (9-5) gave up four runs on six hits over three innings before Fernandez returned to the mound.

Fernandez went one inning giving up three runs on a hit with one strikeout.

Home runs by Ryann Ferguson and Nicole Chavez highlighted the Eagles’ offense.

BethAnn McCann (7-2) pitched a complete game, striking out three.

The Vulcans head to Azusa Pacific for doubleheaders Friday and Saturday.