FREMONT, California – Coming off a three-game win streak, the Hawai'i Hilo softball team hit the road to northern California where it continued where it left off to take a game-one victory from Holy Names, 5-4, Monday afternoon in Pacific West Conference play at Ohlone College's softball field.
It was an action-packed first two innings of play as the Vulcans plated four runs on four hits in the top of the second as Brandee Chinen led off with a base hit followed by an RBI triple by Klara Cejkova-Kolaci, an RBI hit by Rayna-Marie White and a two-RBI single by Trinity Favela.
The Vulcans had previously gotten on the scoreboard in the opening frame with Favela's RBI-single up the middle as the second baseman finished with two hits, three RBI, one assist and one putout.
Holy Names responded with three runs in the bottom of the first, aided by two walks and an error. The Hawks added another run late in the game to make it a one-score affair, but Vulcans starting pitcher Malia Risdall stayed steady to earn her second consecutive victory.
Risdall went the distance with four walks surrendered and three earned runs given up but notched four strikeouts, including the game-ending out in the bottom of the seventh.
GAME 2: PLAY SUSPENDED
Game 2 of Monday's scheduled doubleheader was suspended in the fifth inning due to darkness.
The Vulcans led, 4-1, at the time of suspension. Play will be resumed Wednesday, March 22 at noon.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 4-7 in the PacWest (7-13 overall) while Holy Names moved to an 0-3 record (1-11 overall).
The Vulcans will have a day off before returning to action to conclude its series against the Hawks with the continuation of game two followed by the originally-scheduled doubleheader Wednesday, March 22 at Chabot College in Hayward, California.
Hawai'i Hilo will then continue on in northern California with four games each against Dominican and Academy of Art before playing a five-game slate in Stanislaus State's Tournament of Champions, presented by the City of Turlock through the first week of April.
