ST. GEORGE, Utah—The 2020 UH Hilo softball season is finally underway, and the season opener couldn't have gone much better for the Vulcans.

UHH pounded out 10 hits in a mercy-rule win over Central Washington at the Dixie State Courtyard Classic on Thursday morning, rolling to 9-1 victory. Valerie Alvarado allowed just three hits and a run to collect the win, and fellow senior Brinell Kaleikini mashed a three-run home run to highlight the offense.

It was the season opener for the Vulcans (1-0), while the Wildcats are now even on the year at 4-4.

Kiarra Lincoln, Kimberly Olivas and Markie Okamoto all had two hits each for the offensive-minded Vulcans.

UH Hilo scored their first run of the year in the bottom of the first via the above mention trio. Lincoln singled, moved to second on a bunt single by Olivas and scored on Okamoto's single. They added another score in the second when Billi Derleth led off with a double and later scored on an error to make it 2-0.

The Vulcans added to their margin in the third. Olivas singled and scored on Vevesi Liilii's double, and Liilii followed Olivas home on an error. Skylar Thomas brought home another run with a base hit, making the count 5-0.

The Wildcats, last year's Great Northwest Athletic Conference champ, got one run back in the top of the fourth on a home run by Julia Reuble, but UHH nailed the lid shut in the fourth when Kaleikini ripped a three-run homer to put the Vulcans up 8-1.

UHH scored the winning run (mercy rule) in the fifth when Okamoto singled to bring home pinch-runner Brandee Chinen.

Alvarado walked three and fanned four to begin her senior year at 1-0.

The Vulcans will turn right around in a few minutes to take on host Dixie State (1:30 MT).