HAYWARD, California – Hawai'i Hilo Softball opened a 12-game road trip with a 3-0 series sweep of Academy of Art this weekend in Pacific West Conference play at the Chabot College Softball Field. Vulcans won by scores of 4-2, 6-0 and 3-2 (eight innings).

The three-game series had some slight shuffling in scheduling due to inclement weather in California, but Vulcans pitchers prevailed as Madison Rabe, Chloe Sales and Madi Lee each earned complete-game victories.

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 10-5 in the PacWest (16-12 overall) as Academy of Art moved to a 1-10 conference record (2-22 overall). Vulcans are currently No. 3 in the conference standings with Academy of Art slotted in at No. 11.

UP NEXT: Tuesday, March 18 (10 AM / 1 PM PT + NOON / 3 PM PT) vs Jessup (Sacramento, California / American River College Softball Field)

GAME 1: HAWAI'I HILO 4, ACADEMY OF ART 2

• Rabe posted a career-high eight strikeouts with just two runs and five hits allowed in the 7.0 inning complete-game victory. The junior also helped herself out with a career-high five defensive assists.
• Victoria Macias had RBI at-bats to score the Vulcans final two runs, first with a sacrifice fly in the third inning followed by a two-out ripple in the top of the seventh.
• Jayda Favela and Ke'alohi Markham each totaled a pair of hits. Markham smashed her first career homer with a solo shot to right field in the second inning.

GAME 2: HAWAI'I HILO 6, ACADEMY OF ART 0

• Sales tossed a one-hitter for the complete-game win, giving up just two walks with three strikeouts.
• ART U's lone hit of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning on a high chopper to the 6-hole by Ari Mallari. Sales retired the next batter for her third strikeout of the game, and catcher Chenoa Cainglit stopped Mallari on a steal attempt for the double play. Cainglit currently leads Division II with 11 caught stealing as the Vulcans are ranked No. 2 with 18 double plays.
• Freshman Mariah Antoque and sophomore Mia Joaquin also belted their first collegiate home runs, hitting solo shots in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively. Antoque also had an RBI double in the top of the fifth.

GAME 3: HAWAI'I HILO 3, ACADEMY OF ART 2 (8 INNINGS)

• Lee made her second start of the season in the pitching circle and went 8.0 innings with just two runs given up.
• Antoque brought in the game-winning run in the top of the eighth on a sacrifice fly to deep right-center field to score Rayna White from third base.
• Macias banged out her fourth home run of the season (third during conference play) with a solo shot in the top of the fourth.
• Kiani Nakamura recorded four putouts and four assists at second base.
• This win marks No. 75 for fourth-year head coach Aisha Sueda, who now brings her overall record to 75-74.