TURLOCK, Calif.--Bailey Gaspar went 4-for-4 with a double and a home run and Cynanne Fernandez gave up just three hits in the pitching cirlce as Hawai`i Hilo defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills 7-1 on Sunday at the Tournament of Champions.
The Vulcans improved to 16-19 on the season with the win, while the Toros dropped to 6-33. The Vulcans will play later today against Cal State East Bay to wrap up six games in three days at the Pedretti Fields.
Gaspar came just a triple short of hitting for the cycle, and she started her barrage early. In the top of the first,
Kristen Ishii laid down a bunt single to start the game and
Mari Kawano followed with a base hit up the middle to set the table for Gaspar. The third baseman then launched her ninth home run of the season to make it 3-0, but the Vulcans weren't done yet.
Cristina Menjivar doubled and Fernandez drove in a run with a single as the Vuls would go on to post eight hits in the inning and five runs.
That would be more than they would need today with Fernandez pitching. She improved to 4-3 on the season in seven innings of work, allowing only three hits, one earned run and no walks. She also struck out four. She gave up the one run in the third inning after a single, sacrifice and Lyzette Reveles double, but she didn't let a Toro past second base after that.
The Vulcans had 14 hits in the game by nine different players. Ishii joined Gaspar as a multi-hitter, going 3-for-5 with a double.
In addition to finishing the tournament against Cal State East Bay, the Vulcans will also be wrapping up a two-week trip to northern and central California today.