Concordia junior Callie Nunes is one of the best softball pitchers in Division II. The two-time All-American had 33 wins, a 1.34 ERA and fired four no-hitters last season.
But UH-Hilo senior Valerie Alvarado was better on Thursday and so were the Vulcans in a 1-0 and 2-1 sweep over the No. 8 Eagles.
It was the first time that Concordia (13-4, 7-3 PacWest) was swept in a doubleheader this season. UHH improved to 10-10 and 5-3.
“This was a big confidence-booster,” Vuls coach Callen Perreira said.
Alvarado (5-4) pitched a two-hit shutout in the 1-0 first game. She walked none and struck out two to outduel Nunes.
Nunes allowed a run on three hits. She walked none and whiffed 10.
Vevesi Liilii homered to left field in the second inning for the Vulcans at Kealakehe High’s field.
“It was a no-doubter,” Perreira said. “She hit the ball a long way.”
Alvarado didn’t give up a hit until the sixth inning when Sarah Kretschmar singled. McKensey Thorpe followed with a bunt single.
Alvarado got consecutive groundouts to third baseman Chloe Domingo to end the threat.
Alvarado retired the side in order in the seventh to hand Nunes (6-1) her first loss of the season.
In the 2-1 second game, Gonzales pitched a six-hitter, allowed an unearned run, walked none and whiffed six.
“Valerie kept the ball down, and Leah got out of some jams,” Perreira said. “They both pitched really well.”
In the first, Thorpe reached on an error, stole second and scored on a wild pitch.
Skylar Thomas drove home Mae Kaleikini, who was hit by a pitch, with an RBI double in the third. Domingo singled home Thomas for the go-ahead run.
Gonzales (5-3) retired the side in the fourth and sixth inning and survived two hits in the fifth.
In the seventh, she worked around a leadoff single and struck out the last two Eagles to close the game.
Freshman Rae Flores took the loss. In three innings, she gave up two runs on three hits and three walks.
The teams play another 10 a.m. doubleheader Friday at Kealakehe.