AZUSA, California – A six-run seventh inning lifted Hawai'i Hilo Softball past Azusa Pacific, 8-3, in the opener followed by a 7-2 victory on Tuesday in Pacific West Conference action at the Cougar Softball Complex to open a 16-contest road trip.

Breli Agbayani-Shibao had an RBI in Game 1 and went 3 for 3 with three runs scored in the nightcap. Breeann Leong delivered a two-RBI base hit to tie Game 1 and later added a double and a triple in Game 2. Madison Rabe and Janessa Santos went the distance in the pitching circle for Game 1 and Game 2, respectively.

Azusa Pacific committed seven errors across both games while the Vulcans were clean in the field with none.

NOTES

• Game 1: Hawai'i Hilo 8 - Azusa Pacific 3
  • Leong battled through a nine-pitch count before knocking a two-RBI single to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth.
  • The Vulcans broke through in the seventh when Ke'alohi Markham (walk), Agbayani-Shibao (hit) and Rayna White (hit) loaded the bases with no outs. Harley Acosta drove in two runs on a grounder through the left side of the infield (scored as a defensive error) and Lexie Tilton reached on a shortstop error to score a third run. Mariah Antoque later drew a bases-loaded walk before Markham reached on another error to bring across two more runs. Agbayani-Shibao capped the six-run frame with another bases-loaded walk.
  • APU threatened in the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back doubles — plating one run — but Vulcans pitcher Rabe retired the next three batters in order to preserve the victory.
  • Rabe (4-4) worked all seven innings, allowing five hits with one walk and one strikeout.
  • Markham recorded seven putouts in center field while Tilton totaled six in left field.
• Game 2: Hawai'i Hilo 7 - Azusa Pacific 2
  • The Vulcans posted five hits and scored three runs in the opening frame with RBI singles from Acosta, Antoque and Ava Monturio.
  • Acosta and Tilton drove in a pair of runs with RBI knocks in the top of the fourth.
  • Markham capped the scoring with an RBI ground out to score Leong, who reached with a triple to right field.
  • Agbayani-Shibao batted 3 for 3 with three runs scored, a walk and a stolen base batting in the No. 1 spot.
  • Santos (4-0) struck out four and allowed just two runs with zero walks given up.
  • Acosta went 2 for 4 with two RBI.
  • Antoque recorded three putouts and five assists at shortstop.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 10-7 Overall (7-3 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 6
  • Current Conference Standing: No. 3
• Azusa Pacific: 12-12 Overall (5-5 PacWest)
  • Azusa, California
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 3
  • Current Conference Standing: No. 6

UP NEXT

• Wednesday, March 11 (1 PM + 3 PM) at Azusa Pacific (Azusa, California)
• Friday, March 13 (9 AM + 11:30 AM) at Biola (La Mirada, California)
• Saturday, March 14 (9 AM + 11:30 AM) at Biola (La Mirada, California)
• Tuesday, March 17 (NOON + 2:30 PM) at Concordia (Irvine, California)
• Wednesday, March 18 (NOON + 2:30 PM) at Concordia (Irvine, California)
• Friday, March 20 (11 AM + 1 PM) at Vanguard (Costa Mesa, California)
• Saturday, March 21 (9 AM + 11 AM) at Vanguard (Costa Mesa, California)

PACWEST PRESEASON POLL

Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 6 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans finished the 2025 regular season at No. 6 in the conference standings. The four-team 2026 PacWest Championships postseason tournament will be hosted by Biola on May 5-7 in La Mirada, California.

BUY LIVESTREAM PACKAGE

Video livestreaming will be available for all home events this season through the PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/livestream. Single-game passes for softball are offered at $10, doubleheader day passes at $17.50 and a season-package (18 games) price of $135.