TURLOCK, California – After a narrow defeat earlier in the day, the Hawai'i Hilo rebounded big in the nightcap to take down 13th-ranked Sonoma State, 5-0, Saturday evening in the Tournament of Champions, presented by the City of Turlock at Pedretti Field.
GAME 1: HAWAI'I HILO 2, WESTERN OREGON 3
- After two and a half scoreless innings, Western Oregon got on the scoreboard by capitalizing on two free bases to batters with three bunched singles to bring three runs across the plate.
- Hawai'i Hilo got a run back in the fourth with a lead-off single from Dyoni Garcia followed by two free bases to batters and a sacrifice fly from Kanoe Piltz.
- An inning later, the Vulcans rallied with two outs to juice the bases once again as Lauren Avalos drove a run in on a base hit up the middle to make it a one-score game.
- The Vulcans went down in order in the sixth and seventh innings as Western Oregon survived for the 3-2 victory.
GAME 2: NO. 13 SONOMA STATE 0, HAWAI'I HILO 5
- Malia Risdall got the start in the pitching circle and surrendered just one walk while keeping the Sea Wolves to just three total hits. Only one runner reached scoring position as Risdall twice retired seven consecutive batters.
- After a lead-off walk in the bottom of the first, Lexie Tilton drove in the run with a single up to the middle. Two innings later, Tilton got on with a two-out single as Garcia followed by slamming a two-run home run to make it a 3-0 game.
- An inning later, Trinity Favela, Piltz and Brandee Chinen bunched consecutive singles as the latter cashed in with a two-RBI base hit to right-center field.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 11-20 overall (7-11 Pacific West Conference) while Western Oregon and No. 13 Sonoma State moved to 17-18 and 24-6, respectively.
The Vulcans will conclude play at the Tournament of Champions, presented by the City of Turlock against Simon Fraser (7-27) Sunday afternoon.
Hawai'i Hilo will then resume PacWest Conference play two weeks from now on O'ahu with doubleheaders against Chaminade and HPU.
