The University of Hawai`i Hilo has had a softball program for 30 years, posting winning seasons in 28 of those campaigns.

Head coach Callen Perreira, who has been the director behind 21 of those squads, will lead the 2018 team into battle this weekend as they seek a spot in the upper echelon of the Pacific West Conference and another winning season that would go with that placing.

Perreira, who quietly won his 601^st game in a Vulcan uniform last spring (601-367-3), is back for his second season in his second stint as the UH Hilo manager. He coached the Vulcans from 1990 to 2009, and then returned last year to lead UHH to a 26-22 mark.

"My first year back was a bit of a learning curve," Perreira said. "The conference has changed greatly with the addition of the southern California teams, it is much stronger. That changes how you recruit, and what kind of player you need to recruit. I think we are much deeper and more talented this year and can compete at a higher level."

UH Hilo, which has a mix of senior veterans and young talent on the 2018 club, will open the year on February 2 at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas. They will play San Francisco State (11:30 am Pacific), before facing Eastern New Mexico and Concordia (Ore.) on Saturday, followed by Sonoma State and Saint Martin's on Sunday.

In all, the Vulcans will play 11 games on this opening trip, that also includes the Dixie State Easton Classic in Utah on Feb. 8-9.

"With the mix of players that we have, both returning and new, this trip gives us a great opportunity to get playing time for everyone," Perreira said. "We can afford to try different combinations and see who rises to the occasion."

One player that he already knows will step up is senior third baseman Bailey Gaspar. A Pre-Season All-PacWest selection, Gaspar hit .372 last spring with 14 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBI. She led the PacWest in slugging percentage (.759), home runs and walks (38).

"Bailey is one of, if not the best hitter that I have ever coached," Perreira said. "She is literally one of the best hitters in the country and is a very difficult out for anyone that she faces."

Also on the left side of the infield is a fellow senior and PacWest Pre-season pick, shortstop Mari Kawano. She was a First Team All-PWC selection last year, hitting .366 with 36 runs scored. She had a fielding percentage of .924.

"Having senior leadership on that side of the infield is a big plus," Perreira admitted. "Those two are our co-captains. They communicate with the rest of the team very well, on and off the field. We have lots of young kids, so we need their leadership."

Another senior anchors the pitching staff, Cyanne Fernandez. The right-hander had an outstanding junior season, posting an 8-3 record and a 1.67 ERA. She gave up just 67 hits in 88 innings of work and opponents hit only .211 against her. Leah Gonzales also returns (9-7, 3.03 ERA), as does Billi Derleth who was 12-8 as a freshman and then split duty between the pitcher's circle and the field last year.

Isabelle Mejia, another two-way player, joins the staff this year after putting together a 13-11 record last year at Eastern Arizona. She hit .434 and belted 33 home runs during her two-year career for the Gila Monsters. Freshman Megan Berrelleza, a two-time league MVP while at Indio (Calif.) High School, will vie for time in the pitcher's circle as well.

One pitcher that Perreira and Vulcan fans will not see this year, but opponents will get more than enough of her for four years after that is Danielle Cervantes. The two-time Hawaii Pitcher of the Year is on the Vulcan roster but is going to red-shirt this season. Her Campbell High School team won three straight Hawaii Division I state titles.

"Danielle is working hard to become 100 percent healthy for her next four years," Perreira explained. "We are all greatly looking forward to that."

The rest of the line-up will feature new faces and some familiar ones, but often in different positions.

Lost to graduation behind the plate is Danielle Pulido, and her likely replacement will be Brinell Kaleikini, who played all over the place as a freshman last year (six different positions), starting in all 48 games. She hit .280 with six home runs and will still see time at other spots in addition to catcher. Spelling her will be a pair of freshmen—Lauren Flores (Laverne, Calif.) and Markie Okamoto (Mililani HS).

Two-year starter at first base Cristina Menjivar graduated, leaving the position open for local freshman Skyler Thomas (Hilo/Waiakea HS). Thomas is a two-time BIIF Player of the Year. Kaleikini could also spend some time there, ditto for Berrelleza.

Freshman Kiarra Lincoln looks to take over at second base. The local Kamehameha Hawaii School standout was a three-time First Team All-BIIF pick. Lincoln will also back up Kawano at shortstop. Fellow rookie Darian Obara (Pearl City) will back Lincoln up at second base, but will also play in the outfield. Returnees Danielle Antolin and Jordan Millwood can also play either of the middle infield positions.

Obara will start in left field on opening day, with Mejia likely in center field and returnee Maria Steadmon in right. Steadmon started every game in center field last year for the Vulcans. Freshmen Keana Reyes-Burke (Meridian, Idaho) and Nikki Corla (Campbell HS) will spend some time in the outfield, as will veterans Kacie Freudenberger and Kayla Requelman.

"We have a great freshman class," Perreira confirmed. "They are very talented, but there is also a learning curve associated with that. We need them to feel comfortable sooner than later."

One thing that Perreira is certain of is that he has more chess pieces to maneuver with this year.

"We are definitely more versatile this year, we have many players that can play multiple positions," he predicted. "We have also added needed speed. It has all looked great in practice, and we are all looking forward to how that translates to games."

Those games will come at the Vulcans in a hurry, with 11 games in seven days in Las Vegas and Utah. When they return, they will head to Oahu for doubleheaders against Chaminade and Central Washington. On Feb. 24, they will kick off seven consecutive home doubleheaders with a twinbill against PacWest newcomer Biola.

"It's a great group," Perreira concluded. "We have a good mix of newcomers and senior leadership. I am anxious to get started."