KANEOHE, Hawai'i– The UH Hilo softball team opened the first game of the day's nonconference doubleheader against Hawai'i Pacific with a 5-2 victory at the Howard A. Okita Field. 

The Vulcans (2-1 overall) pushed across three runs in the first inning against the Sharks (5-7 overall). Chloe Domingo smoked the double that brought in the first two runs and then Taisha Bratton continued the rally with a single up the middle that scored Domingo (3-0). 

Three-consecutive singles loaded the bases for UHH in the top of the second. Brandee Chinen led off with a base knock to center and then advanced to second off Domingo's base-hit bunt. Bratton (once again) continued the momentum for the Vulcans with a single to center. Lugo then exercised her good eye, working a walk that scored Chinen (4-0).

Two scoreless innings passed before the Sharks worked their way onto the board. An HPU triple scored two runs in the fifth inning that put Hawaii Pacific within a two-run reach. 

The Vulcans tacked on one more run in the seventh to cushion their lead (5-3). 

Chinen, 3-for-4, scored the final run with a base hit down the right field line that brought in Lana Kline who replaced McKenna Goldbeck. 

Sara Bhatt tossed a good game for the Red and Black. She secured her second win of the season, only letting up five hits in seven innings of work.

The second game is happening NOW! Live stats and livestream are available on hiloathletics.com.