Following an unwanted week off following a rained out doubleheader, the UH-Hilo softball team wasted no time getting back in thegroove Saturday when they achieved a doubleheader sweep of Academy of Art University, winning two mercy rule games by scores
Following an unwanted week off following a rained out doubleheader, the UH-Hilo softball team wasted no time getting back in thegroove Saturday when they achieved a doubleheader sweep of Academy of Art University, winning two mercy rule games by scores of11-3 and 8-0.
It was enough to solidify the Vulcans’ (11-1 in Pacific West Conference, 19-6 overall) hold on first place in the conference, but from thecoach to the players, everyone understand what’s past is prologue and the most important phase of the season is staring them in theface.
“I was a little concerned that not playing for two weeks would maybe keep our bats behind the ball a little at the start, and I think thathappened, but they got back into it well,” said Vulcans coach Peejay Brun. “I was really happy the way they played today.
“The big thing is that we’re into crunch time for the season, we’ve known it all year, this is the time we haveto be at our best, this is our challenge as a team,” she said.
The Vulcans fly out Monday for 10 games in five doubleheaders against the teams bunched right behind them in the standings, startingwith Concordia (5-1), followed by four games with Azusa Pacific (5-1), then two at Cal Baptist (7-3), and closing up at Dixie State (11-3).
There has been a feeling that Brun’s second team at UH-Hilo may be on the cusp of something significant and this trip ought to confirmit or cast doubt on what has been accomplished so far.
“It’s big thing for us, going on this trip,” said shortstop Victoria Garcia, returning to action in the second game Saturday after recoveringfrom a pulled muscle in the rib cage area. “Our goal has always been to win the conference and get to the playoffs, so this will be ourbest shot at it.”
Garcia looked 100 percent healthy when she went 2-for-3 at the plate, scored three runs and knocked in another.
Billi Derleth went 3 2/3 innings to get the win in the second game, leaving the final four outs to Cyanne Frenandez who struck out two,walked none and allowed no hits.
In all, the Vulcans pitching staff gave up just one base on balls in the two games, compared to 11 walks issued by five different Art Upitchers.
UHH 11, AAU 3, 5 innings: The Vulcans gave up a first inning run and then got busy in the second inning when catcher DaniellePulido drove her second home run of the season over the left-centerfield fence with winning pitcher Danielle Wilson on base afterdrawing a walk.
Two errors by Mari Kawano, filling in at shortstop for starter Victoria Garcia, opened the doors for a two-run fourth for the UrbanKnights, but in the bottom of the inning UH-Hilo put some distance between the two with a grand slam home run by Angela Aguinagawho plated Maria Steadmon (walk), Pulido (walk), and Amanda Lara (single).
Aguinaga, who set a home run record and was selected to the junior college All-America team at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., saidshe had “a few” grand slams in her past, but the blast Saturday was her first as a Vulcan.
“Something I always do when I go to the plate is remind myself, ‘Act big, breathe big and commit big,’” she said. “It was a new pitcherso I didn’t know what to expect, but I got a fat pitch and just tried to hit it hard.”
Wilson got the start and allowed just one earned run off four hits while walking one batter and striking out two. In the process, sheshaved her earned run average down to 3.52.
Aguinaga said she thinks the team is ready for their 2016 test.
“We are definitely thinking about being champions in the conference and getting into the playoffs,” she said. “All that starts for us nowand I think we’re ready.”
First up is Concordia Tuesday.
