UH-Hilo senior Cyanne Fernandez pitched five-plus innings to upset No. 3 Dixie State 4-2 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at the campus field, but the Vulcans missed out on a chance at a season-defining sweep when the Trailblazers stormed back in the second game.
Fernandez (12-3) went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs for the win. Isabelle Mejia pitched 1 1/3 innings and whiffed three for the save.
The Vulcans (15-8, 6-4 Pacific West Conference) tagged Trailblazer freshman ace Cambrie Hazel for four runs in two innings for the loss.
Maria Steadmon batted 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead the Vulcans.
In Game 2, the Trailblazers (22-2, 8-2) defeated the Vulcans 6-3, behind Alex Barkwell’s six-hitter, scoring five runs in the final two innings, capped by Jessica Gonzalez’s three-run homer in the seventh off Leah Gonzalez with two outs.
Mejia (2-2), who struggled in the turnaround, started and pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on 10 hits and three walks.
Fernandez continues to carry the pitching staff. She has a 2.24 ERA in 87 1/3 innings. Mejia (22 2/3 innings), (37 1/3), and Billi Derleth (10 2/3) are a combined 3-5, and their ERAs are 5.25, 5.81, and 1.97, respectively.
Bailey Gaspar batted 2 for 3 with a solo homer, and Danielle Antolin went 2 for 3 for the Vuls (15-8, 6-4 PacWest).
Gaspar is batting .397 with eight homers and 23 RBIs with a .460 on-base average. The other hot bats are Brinelle Kaleikini (.406, 4, 25), Mejia (.368, 6, 25), and Kiarra Lincoln (.326, 1, 9).
Jessica Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with three RBIs, including a three-run homer, for the Trailblazers (22-2, 8-2).
Friday’s doubleheader between the team was canceled because of unsafe field conditions, and UH-Hilo finished its homestand 6-4.
The Vuls next play Western Washington (7-14) on Friday at the Tournament of Champions, hosted by Cal State Stanislaus.