SAN RAFAEL, California – It was a roller coaster day for the Vulcans as Hawai'i Hilo Softball took down Biola in an 11-inning marathon before narrowly falling to Azusa Pacific to end its run in the Pacific West Conference Championship and bringing the season to a close.

Freshman Victoria Macias had a seven-hit outing in the doubleheader, going 5 for 5 in the win over Biola. Lexie Tilton combined for five hits and Chenoa Cainglit tallied three hits as both knocked solo homers.

"Very long day of softball," Vulcans third-year head coach Aisha Sueda said. "Like I told these girls, they may not have realized but they played 18 Innings today so just very proud of what they have accomplished this season. It's not the way we wanted it to end but for these girls to continue to compete 'till the end — that's what they did, so again, very proud of the girls and the team."

The Vulcans finish the season at 26-17 overall in head coach Aisha Sueda's third year at the helm. Hawai'i Hilo earned the No. 3 seed for the double-elimination postseason tournament after posting an 18-10 record in conference play.

"I think moving forward it's just really sticking with what they've been doing. What I definitely loved with this team ... the fight. They were just very competitive. A lot of grit in them. A lot of heart, and at the end of the day, that's all I asked for was to be competitive and just leave everything out on the field so big difference I believe for the past few years."

GAME 1: HAWAI'I HILO 8, BIOLA 5 (11 INNINGS)

• Following seven innings of regulation, the score was tied, 2-2. As the designated visiting team, Hawai'i Hilo took the lead three times heading into the bottom of the inning with Biola down to its final three outs as the Eagles matched the Vulcans twice in eighth and ninth.
• Cainglit tripled off the right-center field fence to score Kanoe Piltz from second base to take a one-run lead in the top of the eighth. Kiani Nakamura provided an RBI groundout back to the pitcher as Cainglit dove in safely at home to give the Vulcans a two-run cushion.
• Biola managed back-to-back hits to quickly put two runners in scoring position as Kaitlyn Hawkins tapped a slow dribbler through the right side that was unable to be fielded, bringing in both runners across the plate for a 4-4 tied score. The Eagles seemingly weren't done yet as they knocked two more base hits to load the bases, but Megan Yorba induced a fly out to center field to continue on.
• In the ninth, Lexie Tilton slammed a two-strike homer to left field only to be matched in the bottom half by Raylene Roybal's full-count solo shot to once again tie the score.
• Finally in the 11th, Macias roped a double past the shortstop and into left-center field to score two runs and Piltz added an insurance run with an RBI single up the middle.
• Chloe Sales, who entered the pitching circle in the bottom of the ninth, ended the game by snagging a lined comebacker for the final out.
• The Vulcans totaled a season-high 14 hits in the 11-inning affair while also committing a season-high four errors on defense.

GAME 2: HAWAI'i HILO 2, AZUSA PACIFIC 4

• Similar to Wednesday's defeat to the Cougars, APU managed to put the first three runs on the scoreboard for a 3-0 lead through three innings.
• The Vulcans threatened in the top of the fourth with back-to-back doubles by Tilton and Macias but were unable to plate a run as Tilton was thrown out at home with the next two batters retired in order.
• An inning later, Hawai'i Hilo cashed in starting with a lead-off home run off the right-field scoreboard by Cainglit. The Vulcans followed up by loading the bases as Macias dropped in a RBI base hit to left-center field, but that would be all as the bases were left juiced with APU still holding a one-run advantage.
• Now chasing two runs heading into the final three outs, the magic seemed to be building up as Kamyla Cerda pinch hit to draw a lead-off walk followed by an infield base hit up the middle from Jayda Favela. A passed ball moved both runners over into scoring position, but Nakamura — who re-entered for Cerda — was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice grounder. Macias hit another grounder but it was bobbled by the shortstop to load the bases with two outs. Dyoni Garcia, who hadn't played since March 18 again Biola, came in to pinch hit but APU managed to close the game out with a strikeout to advance.

UP NEXT

The 2024 season is not officially over yet as the NCAA Selection Show is set for Monday, May 6 on NCAA.com. Eight total teams, including the three conference champions from the PacWest Conference, California Collegiate Athletic Association and Great Northwest Athletic Conference, will qualify for NCAA West Regional play.

However, the Vulcans have not yet appeared in the 10-team NCAA West Region Rankings released this season.

Mahalo to all the fans and supporters of Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans Softball this season.