LA MIRADA, California – Hawai'i Hilo Softball split Friday's doubleheader with Biola dropping the opener, 4-0, before rallying for a 2-1 victory in 10 innings in Pacific West Conference play at Freedom Field.
Lexie Tilton delivered the decisive blow for Game 2, lacing an RBI double to right center in the top of the 10th inning. Tilton drove in both of the Vulcans' runs with an earlier game-tying RBI single in the third inning. Ke'alohi Markham came home to score on both hits.
Tilton recorded 13 total putouts in left field through Friday's doubleheader.
Janessa Santos tossed all 10 innings in the pitching circle for the Vulcans allowing just one run and scattering eight hits while grabbing seven strikeouts.
Hawai'i Hilo was held scoreless in the opener despite collecting eight hits.
NOTES
- Game 1: Hawai'i Hilo 0 - Biola 4
- Madison Rabe got the start for the Vulcans going 4.2 innings with Tehani Seto following with 1.1 scoreless innings in relief. Neihter pitcher surrendered a walk or hit-by-pitch.
- Hawai'i Hilo threatened in the top of the seventh after loading the bases with two outs, but Biola managed to hold on for the shutout win.
- Markham, Rayna White, and Breeann Leong each recorded two hits.
- Tilton collected five putouts in left field and Leong had three putouts with two assists at second base.
- Game 2: Hawai'i Hilo 2 - Biola 1 (10 inn.)
- Santos held Biola scoreless over the final nine innings, going the distance on 106 pitches and inducing 15 fly outs with eight groundouts.
- Santos improved to 5-0 in PacWest play (6-0 overall) and currently leads the conference with 37 strikeouts in conference-only contests. Her season ERA of 1.08 is No. 2 in the league.
- Tilton (eight putouts) and Leong (five putouts, two assists) again had a busy defensive outing.
- Biola's DJ Symons also pitched the whole 10 innings managing to strike out eight Vulcans batters.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 12-9 Overall (9-5 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 6
- Current Conference Standing: No. 3
- Biola: 13-14 Overall (6-3 PacWest)
- La Mirada, California
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 2
- Current Conference Standing: No. 2
UP NEXT
- 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.
