HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Softball's rally fell just short in Game 1 as part of a marathon doubleheader that was suspended due to darkness on Wednesday in Pacific West Conference play at the Vulcan Softball Field.
The Vulcans fell behind 6-0 before evening the scoreboard with five runs in the bottom of the seventh of Game 1 — which took an early 50-minute rain delay in the first inning. Dominican pushed a run across in the top of the ninth to hold on for the win. Game 2 had all four total runs scored through the first inning and a half before needing to be halted at 2-2 entering the ninth inning due to darkness.
Continuation will be played Thursday morning at 10 a.m. with the regularly scheduled doubleheader to follow.
NOTES
- Game 1: Dominican 7 - Hawai'i Hilo 6 (9 inn.)
- The seventh-inning rally was fueled by five hits in addition to taking advantage of a Penguins defensive error. Mia Joaquin capped the frame with a sacrifice fly for the game-tying run — scoring Mariah Antoque, who had reached base with an RBI hit of her own.
- In the top of the ninth, Dominican's Leila Benson managed to reach base on a lead-off single and later scored on a two-out RBI hit by Alexis Abalos.
- Madison Rabe was the second pitcher out of the bullpen, entering in the top of the second and going 8.0 innings with just one run allowed after scattering 11 hits.
- Lexie Tilton batted 3 for 5 with an RBI and seven putouts in left field.
- Antoque finished 2 for 5 with one RBI and a run scored.
- Breeann Leong doubled in the second inning and recorded seven putouts and one assist at second base.
- Game 2: Dominican 2 - Hawai'i Hilo 2 (Halted in T9)
- Vulcans scored two in the bottom of the first — Tilton doubled to set up Rayna White to score on a wild pitch. Ava Monturio's infield ground ball couldn't be fielded cleanly, allowing Tilton to score from third base.
- Dominican's two runs in the top of the second were both unearned, scoring both on a passed ball.
- Janessa Santos pitched 8.0 innings, allowing four hits and two unearned runs while striking out five batters. She induced 11 ground outs.
- Harley Acosta recorded five assists and one putout at third base.
- Play resumes Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. at the Vulcan Softball Field.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 5-7 Overall (2-3 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 6
- Current Conference Standing: No. T6
- Dominican: 7-10 Overall (2-3 PacWest)
- San Rafael, California
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 5
- Current Conference Standing: No. T6
UP NEXT
- Thursday, March 5 (10 AM) vs Dominican: Game 2 Resumption (Vulcan Softball Field)
- Thursday, March 5 (NOON + 2:30 PM) vs Dominican (Vulcan Softball Field)
- Tuesday, March 10 (1 PM + 3 PM) vs Azusa Pacific (Azusa, California)
- Wednesday, March 11 (1 PM + 3 PM) vs Azusa Pacific (Azusa, California)
- Friday, March 13 (9 AM + 11:30 AM) vs Biola (La Mirada, California)
- Saturday, March 14 (9 AM + 11:30 AM) vs Biola (La Mirada, 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.
