LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Isabelle Mejia hit a three-run homer, Mari Kawano had four hits and Kacie Freudenberger drove in the winning runs with a pinch-hit double during a wild 6-5 Hawai`i Hilo victory over Eastern New Mexico on the second day of the Desert Stinger at Majestic Park.

The win moves UHH's record to 2-0 in the tournament and on the season. The Greyhounds fell to 0-3. The Vulcans will play again later today against Concordia (Ore.) at 4:30 p.m. (2:30 Hawaii time).

Mejia got UH Hilo off to a hot start with a three-run jack in the first inning. With Kawano (single) and Kiarra Lincoln (walk) setting the table, Mejia hit the ball over the left field fence to seemingly give the Vulcans a comfortable lead.

But Eastern New Mexico countered with a three-run home run in the top of the second by Ashley Lopez to tie the contest. UH Hilo then regained the lead (4-3) in the bottom of the second with Kawano's RBI single to left.

Pitchers Leslie Reyes (ENMU) and Leah Gonzales (UHH) then settled in for a few innings until the Greyhounds tied the contest again in the top of the fifth (5-5). But the Vulcans answered in the bottom half of the inning, in dramatic fashion.

With two runners on via an error and walk, head coach Callen Perreira sent pinch-hitter Kacie Freudenberger to the plate and the move paid off.  The senior connected with a shot to right field, bringing home two runs to give the Vulcans a 6-4 lead.

UH Hilo still had to survive a seventh-inning rally by the Greyhounds. With two outs, Erikka Burke doubled and Courtney Vigil brought her home with a single, but relief pitcher Billi Derleth got the final out of the game on a 3-2 pitch hit to centerfielder Mejia to end the game to strand the tying run at first base. 

The Vulcans had eight hits in the game—four by Kawano. Gonzales used her offensive support and clutch pitcher's circle work to get the win. Derleth pitched the final two innings to get the save.