TURLOCK, Calif.--The future of Hawai`i Hilo softball looks bright, and the present isn't too shabby either. Both were on display on Sunday at the Tournament of Champions in Turlock.

It was a pair of freshmen that led the Vulcans to victory on Sunday afternoon against Cal State East Bay in a 3-1 triumph, with Leah Gonzales doing the work in the pitcher's circle and Kristen Ishii at the plate. When adding in a 7-1 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills earlier in the day, it gave UHH a 17-19 overall record. Cal State East Bay fell to 20-16 with the loss.

Ishii, the lead-off batter and left fielder, had six hits in the two games. She was 3-for-4 against the Pioneers. Gonzales picked up her second win of the tournament and is 6-5 on the season. She gave up six hits in seven innings, allowing one earned run, one walk and she fanned four.

Junior third baseman Bailey Gaspar also had six hits on the day, going 2-for-4 in the second game after a 4-for-4 bashing against the Toros, which included a double and a home run. 

The Vulcans had to battle back from behind against a good Cal State East Bay team, trailing 1-0 heading into the top of the sixth. They had runners on base in each of the first three innings but couldn't get anyone across the plate against Pioneers pitcher Olivia McWhorter.

In the sixth, UHH got some help with a lead error, putting Mari Kawano on base to start the inning. Gaspar followed with a single, and a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third. Danielle Pulido then dropped down a bunt that scored Kawano to tie the game. The Pioneers almost matched that run in the bottom half of the inning, putting two runners in scoring position before Gonzales got a ground ball out to end the inning. 

In the seventh, Gonzales helped herself by getting on base via a walk. Two fielder's choice plays later, Ishii hit an infield single to put runners on first and second. Kawano loaded the bases with another base hit, setting the table for Gaspar, who singled through the left side driving in the go-ahead run. Cristina Menjivar then worked a walk to provide an insurance RBI.

Gonzales gave up a walk in the bottom half of the inning, but got the final two Pioneers out via a fly out and ground out.

The Vulcans finished 3-3 in the tournament and were 9-7 on the 11-day road trip. They return home on Monday and will get ready to face Pacific West Conference opponent Hawai`i Pacific on Sunday on the UH Hilo campus. Start time is noon.