Tribune-Herald Tribune-Herald ADVERTISING The University of Hawaii at Hilo softball team put an end to one losing streak. After losing the second game of a doubleheader, however, coach Jaime Wallin says the Vulcans will have to work hard to figure
Tribune-Herald
The University of Hawaii at Hilo softball team put an end to one losing streak.
After losing the second game of a doubleheader, however, coach Jaime Wallin says the Vulcans will have to work hard to figure out a way to avoid another.
UHH split a pair with Grand Canyon on Wednesday in Phoenix, riding catcher Brittany Spencer’s bat to a 6-4 win in the opener before the Antelopes struck for a 9-1 TKO victory to take three of four in the series.
Spencer was 2 for 4, including a two-run single in the third inning as UHH (13-6, 8-5 Pacific West Conference) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opener en route to stopping a four-game slide. In the second inning, Spencer singled and scored on an error.
But the Vulcans’ fifth loss in six games raised more questions from Wallin heading into Saturday’s game at California Baptist.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and figure some things out,” she said. “Our competition has gotten tougher and we haven’t stepped up our game. We’re still not playing like we are capable and becoming the team we can be.”
The Vulcans stand in fifth place in the the 10-team PacWest, while Grand Canyon (15-9, 6-2) is third.
Wallin said UHH had a team meeting Tuesday after getting swept, and the initial results a day later were positive.
Right-hander Amber Waracka (7-2) earned the win in relief of Ashley Nelson, striking out four in 3 2/3 innings and allowing four runs, two hits and a walk.
Shortstop Nicole Alconcel was 2 for 3, including an single in the first inning that scored second baseman Aisha Sueda, who had doubled. Designated player Amanda Nazario added a run-scoring single in the third and also scored a run.
Grand Canyon quickly jumped on Jessica Pepin (3-4) in the nightcap, scoring seven runs in the second inning in a game that only went five. Waracka came on in relief but was ineffective, yielding a three-run double to shortstop Kelsey Barak.
Right fielder Kayla Henry was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, including a RBI triple. Henry, who was also 2 for 4 with two RBIs in the first game, was 9 for 12 in the series.
Spencer brought in a run in the second with a groundout that plated Sueda, who had walked, but UHH managed only two hits — one apiece by Alconcel and Nazario.
“We just need somebody to get hot,” Wallin said. “Just anybody.”
Kiki Sepulveda (3-1) got the win with a strong relief outing, retiring the first nine batters she faced. She allowed only a hit and a walk in four innings.
“Anytime you win three of four in a conference series and against a team as talented as Hilo, it’s big,” Grand Canyon coach Ann Pierson said on her school’s website.
Each team made three errors in Game 1
Still working her way back from an injury, Nelson struck out a batter in 3 1/3 innings. Her line included two runs — one earned — and four hits with three walks.
Kiley Raica (9-4) took the loss, allowing five runs — two earned — four hits and two walks with a strikeout.
Game 1
UHH 123 000 0 — 6 6 3
Grand Canyon 001 110 1 — 4 8 3
Game 2
Grand Canyon 072 00 — 9 6 0
UHH 010 00— 1 2 0
