Alexis Lacy made a memorable start for the UH-Hilo softball team, which opened conference play against Holy Names on Tuesday at the Vulcans’ refurbished field, which includes new outfield turf.
The freshman left-hander was brilliant with a five-hit shutout in UHH’s five-inning 8-0 TKO win over the Hawks. Lacy walked two and struck out two.
In the second game, Sara Bhatt fired a three-hitter in UHH’s five-inning TKO 10-2 victory. Bhatt allowed two runs (one unearned). She walked none and whiffed two.
Sophomore catcher Taisha Bratton had a productive day. She batted 1 for 1 with three RBIs in Game 1 and 3 for 4 with five RBIs, hitting a three-run homer in the third inning. Senior center fielder Angel Prewitt batted 1 for 3 and scored two runs in Game 1 and went 2 for 3 with three RBIs in Game 2.
Haighley Kissee got the loss in Game 1 with six runs allowed in 3 2/3 innings. Kelsey Vokmar took the loss in Game 2 with five runs allowed in 2 2/3 innings.
The Hawks (4-18, 2-9 PacWest) haven’t posted a winning season in their last nine years. The Vulcans (7-4, 5-2) jumped to third in the PacWest standings.
The two teams play another doubleheader at noon today at the Vulcans’ field.
It was Lacy’s second start. On Feb. 26 against Hawaii Pacific, she scattered eight hits in a 5-0 win on Oahu.
Lacy, sort of, recruited herself to UHH. She reached out to retired coach Callen Perreira and has been a great fit.
She’s from Anaheim, Hills., Calif., and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She’s majoring in criminal justice and hopes to become a police officer.
The 5-foot-6 Lacy is also a Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres fan, which is tough to imagine considering both are rivals in the National League West division.
“This is my second game that I started, and I got my second shutout,” she said. “The key was my team had my back, and we had energy through the whole entire game. Everybody was up, and we were all cheering, and that helped a lot.
“I always wanted to go to school in Hawaii. Who wouldn’t want to play in Hawaii? I called the coach and got in. I love it here. I’ve always loved the Dodgers because my dad (Leigh) loves the Dodgers, and I’m a daddy’s girl. But my favorite Major League Baseball player is Fernando Tatis Jr., and he’s on the Padres.”
Last season, the Vulcans finished 19-13, advanced to the West Regional, where they lost to Concordia, and graduated seven seniors.
If the Vulcans want to get back to the postseason, they’ve got a nice young nucleus. Bratton leads the team in batting average (.438), OPS (1.145), homers (1), and RBIs (13). Freshman second basemanMari Kimoto, from Moanalua High on Oahu, is next at .385 and .891. Freshman shortstop Jayda Favela is batting .344 with a .850 OPS.
The veterans are providing stability, too. Senior center fielder Angel Prewitt is hitting .385 with a .855 OPS, and junior outfielder Brandee Chinen is hitting .343 with a .721 OPS.
Sophomore right-hander Bhatt (4-1, 1.81 ERA) leads the pitching staff while Lacy (2-0, 2.45 ERA) is right behind. Sophomore right-hander Malia Risdall (0-2, 4.38 ERA) is from Santa Clarita, Calif.
“We have a lot of pitchers, and I told them they all have the potential to become the starting pitcher,” UHH coach Alisha Sueda said. “She (Lacy) is always one to look at, depending on the day and how we’re looking.
“The field looks great. We had a blessing in the morning, and one of the prayers was about the appreciation for the support we have from the athletic staff, the coaching staff, and the community. There’s a great appreciation to be playing on this field after two years, and we showed it in the games today.”
Golf
The UHH men finished 14th at the Northwest Nazarene Invitational on Tuesday with a 44-over-par 620 total out of the 16 team field at Livermore, Calif. Cal State East Bay captured the title with a 7-over 583 total. Hawaii Pacific’s Keita Okada shot a 6-under-par 69-69—138 total.
UHH’s Andrew Otani shot a 9-over and tied for 39th with a 76-77—153 total. Nick Gomez was 12-over and tied for 50th with a 76-80—156 total. Dustin Franko was 13-over and tied for 55th with a 76-81—157 total. Keith Ng was 14-over and tied for 60th with an82-76—158 total. Noah Lau was 15-over and tied for 66th with an 80-79—159 total.
The UHH women finished last at the CSU San Marcos Invite on Tuesday with a 679 total, one shot behind Hawaii Pacific at Vista, Calif. Host Cal State San Marcos won the tournament with an 18-over-par 594 total in the 19-team field. Cal State San Marcos’ Diana Delgado was the medalist with a 1-under 70-73—143 total.
UHH’s Kaelyn Uchida was 16-over and tied for 52nd with a 81-79—160 total. Tia Kualii was 25-over and tied for 76th with an 87-82—169 total. Tori Hironaga was 28-over and tied for 84th with an 87-85—172 total. Kailey Oki was 34-over and finished 92nd with an 89-89—178 total. Carli Shimokihara 48-over and finished 99th with a 95-97—192 total.
Baseball
The Vulcans (14-6, 2-4 PacWest) host Holy Names (12-9, 5-3) in a four-game series, starting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wong Stadium. The two teams play another doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Wong Stadium.
The Vulcans are coming off a four-game split against Fresno Pacific and are seventh in the nine-team league.
