HONOLULU, Oahu--The suddenly resurgent Hawaii Pacific Sharks won the first game 3-2 before UH Hilo bounced back for a 6-2 win in the nightcap of a Friday doubleheader at Howard Okita Field.

The Sharks won their third consecutive game, while the Vulcans had had lost four of their last five before the second game victory. UH HIlo is 12-5 heading into Saturday's twinbill (noon), while HPU is now 3-10. The two teams will also play a doubleheader on Sunday as a part of a six-game series.

In the first game, the Vulcans struck first with a pair of runs in the third inning. Angel Prewitt led off with a double and Kiarra Lincoln singled to bring in the first run. Markie Okamoto singled, and Vevesi Liilii added a base hit to bring home Lincoln for a 2-0 lead.

The good news for the Vulcans was that starting pitcher Valerie Alvarado was throwing well, after back-to-back tough outings the week previous against Chaminade. She didn't give up a hit until the third inning and didn't allow a run until the fourth. Three Shark hits in that inning brought home a run to make it 2-1, Vulcans.

It stayed that way until the sixth, when Alvarado got into a jam. Two walks and three hits brought across two runs to give HPU the lead, 3-2. But the Vulcans weren't done. In the top of the seventh, Lincoln walked and moved to second on Darian Obara's bunt. After Lincoln was out via a fielder's choice, the Vulcans were down to their last out. 

With pinch runner Brandee Chinen on second, Chloe Domingo singled to right field. Chinen sprinted around third and headed for home but was thrown out by rightfielder Hoku Ching to end the game.

Lincoln had two hits in the contest to lead the Vulcans, while Brandi Leong had the same for the Sharks. Malia Torres earned the win (2-5) and Alvarado took the loss (4-3).

In the second game, it looked like HPU was on their way to a fourth consecutive win. They scored a run each in the first (double) and second innings (home run) to carry a 2-0 lead into the fourth stanza with Megan Wilson on the hill. UHH had only two hits to that point.

But things unraveled for the Sharks in the fourth. An error opened the inning, followed by a Liilii single. Domingo followed with a three-run home run to left field to give the lead to the Vulcans, 3-2. Taisha Bratton then singled, Alana Alvarez doubled and both would score via a sacrifice fly (Prewitt) and an error. When the dust cleared, the Vulcans had five runs on four hits and two errors.

UHH added another run in the sixth when Lincoln doubled and Chinen brought her home with a single to make it 6-2.

Vulcan starting pitcher Sara Bhatt had worked in and out of trouble since giving up the early runs but no more Sharks crossed the plate. She didn't allow a runner past second base after the second inning. The freshman got the win to improve to 4-1, allowing six hits, two earned runs, three walks and she fanned one.

Okamoto had two of UHH's 10 hits in the second game, with nine different Vulcans scratching out base knocks. HPU's Mary Dungey had two of her teams six hits.

UH Hilo maintains a 5.5 game lead over Chaminade in the Hawaii Pod with seven games remaining on the schedule.