IRVINE, California – Hawai'i Hilo Softball dropped both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader against No. 22 Concordia, falling 3-2 in nine innings before a 8-0 five-inning mercy-rule defeat to close out the four-game series (1-3 record) in Pacific West Conference play at Golden Eagles Stadium.
Madi Lee went the distance in Game 1, throwing 8.1 innings and allowing three runs with a walk-off single through the right side of the infield to end the contest in the bottom of the ninth. Lee escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, working a full count to induce a pop-up before closing with three straight strikes to retire the side and leave the bases juiced. A lead-off throwing error on a CUI bunt attempt opened the ninth and eventually led to the deciding run.
Lexie Tilton went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in Game 1.
Rayna White singled and scored the Vulcans' other run while drawing a seven-pitch walk in the top of the seventh to move into third place in the program's record book with 77 career walks.
Ava Monturio provided Hawai'i Hilo's lone hit in Game 2.
NOTES
- Game 1: Hawai'i Hilo 2 - No. 22 Concordia 3 (9 inn.)
- Hawai'i Hilo plated two runs in the sixth on RBI singles by Tilton and Mia Joaquin — but left the bases loaded to strand three runners.
- Hawai'i Hilo left two more runners on base in the top of the seventh and two more in the top of the ninth.
- Hawai'i Hilo left 11 total runners on base.
- Despite six total errors between both teams (four by Hawai'i Hilo), only the deciding run was affected.
- Lee loaded the bases in the eighth behind two defensive errors and a walk but dug in to escape with the score still tied.
- CUI's Serena Velez poked a walk-off single through the right side for an unearned run to reach the final margin.
- Breeann Leong had five putouts and five assists at second base.
- Game 2: Hawai'i Hilo 0 - No. 22 Concordia 8 (5 inn.)
- Concordia managed to put together a five-run fifth inning with six singles to trigger the mercy rule.
- Hawai'i Hilo was shut out for just the third time this season.
- Janessa Santos took her first loss of the season, moving to an 8-1 record.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 14-13 Overall (11-9 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 6
- Current Conference Standing: No. 5
- Concordia: 29-11 Overall (19-5 PacWest)
- Irvine, California
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 1
- Current Conference Standing: No. 1
UP NEXT
- Friday, March 20 (11 AM + 1 PM) at Vanguard (Costa Mesa, California)
- Saturday, March 21 (9 AM + 11 AM) at Vanguard (Costa Mesa, California)
- Sunday, April 5 at Josai University (Saitama, Japan)
- Sunday, April 5 at Nippon Sport Science University (Tokyo, Japan)
- Thursday, April 16 (NOON + 2:30 PM) vs Menlo (Vulcan Softball Field)
- Friday, April 17 (NOON + 2:30 PM) vs Menlo (Vulcan Softball Field)
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.
