by KANEOHE, Hawai’i – Hawai’i Pacific University closed the 2019 softball season being swept in a PacWest Conference doubleheader by neighbor island rival Hawai’i Hilo by identical 3-2 scores on Sunday at Howard OkitaField.
The Sharks (31-24, 22-14) saw the Vulcans (31-17, 24-11) come back in the final inning to take both games.
In game one, senior Jordan Curry (19-9) of Farmington, N.M./Navajo threw her last game at home field allowing three runs (only one earned) on five hits. She had seven walks and struck out six in taking the loss.
In the second game, junior righthander Emilee Leonard (10-9) of La Mirada, Calif./Saint Paul suffered the loss allowing three earned runs in six innings. She gave up just four hits and four walks while striking out four.
Sophomore Mary Dungey of Las Vegas, Nev./Silverado went 2-for-5 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored as both hits were for extra bases. Curry went 2-for-3 in game two with an RBI and a run scored.
In the opener, UH Hilo scored a single run in the top of the third on coming from three walks and an HPU fielding error.
The Sharks came back to take a one run lead in the fifth frame starting with junior Sierra Dias of Mililani, Hawai’i/Bishop Gorman being walked, sacrificed to second, and advancing to third on a ground out. She was scored by Dungey with her towering triple to left center. Dungey was able to find home on a wild pitch for a 2-1 Sharks lead.
The Vulcans tied the game in the sixth on two base hits with an HPU fielding error. They finalized the game at 3-2 in the seventh on two additional HPU errors allowing the final unearned run to score.
The Vulcans Valerie Alvarado (10-5) threw the complete game giving up two earned runs on two hits and four walks.
In the second contest, the Sharks cracked a scoreless game in the third frame when Dungey came out swinging with a double, this time to right center. On the very next pitch, Curry followed suit with her own RBI double off the left center fence. She was scored by freshman Brandi Leong of Wahiawa, Hawai’i/Leilehua who singled down the first base line for an RBI and a 2-0 lead.
The Vulcans came right back with three runs in the fifth and final regulation inning. Two walks followed by a double to right center tied the game at two apiece, and another RBI double gave Hilo the 3-2 victory that was halted in the sixth due to a travel curfew.
UHH’s Isabelle Mejia (12-4) threw the five inning contest allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks in taking the win.
The twinbill marked the end of the season for the Sharks, who despite the losses on Sunday, posted a 30-win season for the first time since 2013. HPU also celebrated the final games for three seniors: “JoJo” Curry, Alexis Morales of San Diego, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic, and Tiana Cantero-Kawelo of Wahiawa, Hawai’i/Leilehua.
