Whether it be because UH-Hilo stayed in first or because it gave itself a huge boost of confidence heading into a pair of crucial doubleheaders, there was only one way to quantify the Vulcans’ two wins Saturday. ADVERTISING Whether it
Whether it be because UH-Hilo stayed in first or because it gave itself a huge boost of confidence heading into a pair of crucial doubleheaders, there was only one way to quantify the Vulcans’ two wins Saturday.
“They were huge,” coach Peejay Brun said.
UH-Hilo turned the tables on Azusa Pacific, sweeping a road PacWest doubleheader 4-2 and 3-2 behind the pitching of Billi Derleth and Danielle Wilson and hitting of Bailey Gaspar.
“I think one of the biggest changes today was that our pitches came with the mentality that they were going to keep the other team down,” Brun said.
The Vulcans (22-9, 14-4 PacWest) ended a three-game slide, including a sweep Friday at the hands of Azusa (16-7, 7-3), ahead of doubleheaders Monday at Cal Baptist (11-3) and Wednesday at Dixie State (13-3).
Derleth (10-5) scattered seven hits and struck out three for the complete game victory as the Vulcans’ defense played error free in the first game. Gaspar hit a solo home run and a two-run single and Danielle Pulido collected an RBI double.
Wilson (10-3) allowed six hits over seven innings and struck out four with a walk to get the win. Gaspar got the Vulcans out to another first-inning lead in the second game with a two-run double.
With one out in the seventh, Brittany Huff tripled to right center. Victoria Garcia followed with the go-ahead RBI, a double to the left field corner.
