HILO, Hawai'i – Lauren Avalos and the Hawai'i Hilo softball seniors saved the best for last as they swept the HPU Sharks Sunday afternoon in Pacific West Conference action at the Vulcan Softball Field. The Vulcans topped the Sharks, 3-1, before Avalos threw a shut-out no hitter in an 8-0 five-inning mercy-rule victory to cap the season.
It was the final game of the season as the Vulcans fell just outside the four-team qualifying bubble for next month's PacWest Championships postseason double-elimination tournament in Fresno, California.
Following Sunday's doubleheader, Hawai'i Hilo celebrated its departing seniors: Lauren Avalos, Trinity Favela, Kuulei Ili, Maya Lee Saneishi, Malia Risdall, Chloe Domingo and Brandee Chinen.
"It's just been a pleasure to see all of them grow as individuals and as players, especially Chloe and Brandee who have been here for five years," Vulcans second-year head coach Aisha Sueda said. "They've all ranged from one year to two years to four years to five years. Just to see them bloom has been great to witness and a pleasure to coach these seniors."
GAME 1: HPU 1, HAWAI'I HILO 3
- After leaving three total runners stranded through the first and second innings, the Vulcans brought in their first run in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly by Dyoni Garcia to score Jayda Favela for a 1-0 lead. An inning later, Jayda Favela added another run on an RBI single through the right side.
- In the fifth inning, senior Kuulei Ili pinch hit with two outs and runners on second and third to drive in the Vulcans' final run with a single to left field.
- Both teams each left 11 runners stranded with 10 of HPU's coming through the last four innings. The Sharks scored their lone run on a bases-loaded wild pitch.
- Malia Risdall got the complete-game win for her sixth of the season in the pitching circle.
GAME 2: HPU 0, HAWAI'I HILO 8 (5 INNINGS)
- Lauren Avalos came one surrendered-walk away from completing a perfect game in the truncated contest but still was flawless in 5.0 innings of work with no hits, no runs and one strikeout. Avalos reached three balls in the count only one other at-bat, which resulted in a ground out to end the top of the second.
- The Vulcans got started early by capitalizing on a handful of HPU defensive miscues to plate three first-inning runs.
- Hawai'i Hilo added on in the third inning with RBI hits from Trinity Favela, Chinen, Jayda Favela, Saneishi and Avalos herself to cap the scoring for an 8-0 lead.
- Before the final out in the bottom of the fifth, seniors Domingo, Trinity Favela, Chinen and Saneishi were subbed out of the game to receive one final ovation from fans and teammates.
PACWEST HAWAI'I CHALLENGE
The conclusion of the softball season also concludes the Vulcans' entire slate of competition in the PacWest Hawai'i Challenge among the two other Hawai'i schools.
With the help of a first-place finish by men's golf and a second-place finish by the women's tennis team, Hawai'i Hilo currently sits tied with HPU at 19 points each.
The final standings will be determined next weekend with HPU and Chaminade playing two more games against each other in softball. The Vulcans lead with eight points (four wins) as the Sharks lurk close behind with six points (three wins). Two HPU wins would earn it this year's PacWest Hawai'i Challenge crown while one would mean co-winners between HPU and Hawai'i Hilo. A Chaminade sweep would give the Vulcans sole possession.
Hawai'i Hilo won last year's PacWest Hawai'i Challenge.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo finishes at 11-16 in the PacWest (16-25 overall) while HPU moved to a 15-15 record (20-30 overall).
The four-team PacWest Championships is set for May 3–5 in La Mirada, California at Biola University with Hawai'i just outside the bubble of qualifying.
Mahalo for your support of Vulcans softball this season.
