Frustration came in many forms for UH-Hilo’s softball team Tuesday at No. 7 Concordia.
One spoiled no-hitter, one wasted rally and two walk-off losses left the Vulcans in third place.
Eagles ace Callie Nunes outdueled Valerie Alvarado for her third no-hitter of the season in a 1-0 win, and all was lost for UHH on the day in Irvine, Calif., when Sydney Sprinkle hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh of the second game for a 5-3 victory, Concordia’s third in the four-game series between Pacific West Conference contenders.
“Both teams fought so hard today and yesterday,” Nunes said in a Concordia release. “We just battled.”
The Vuls (21-11, 16-8 PacWest) rallied gamely to try and avoid the sweep, with Isabelle Mejia hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning and Vevesi Liilii following with a solo shot to tie the second game 3-3.
In the seventh, Makamae Kaleikini put a good charge into a ball that was caught on the warning track, then Rayla Jacobs-Kea walked and reached second before Nunes (18-3), who came on in relief for her second win of the day, induced a flyout to end the threat.
So close, yet so far away.
Leah Gonzales (6-4), who entered the game in the fifth in relief for Billi Derleth, gave up a single to Megan Massa and with one out Sprinkle played the likely hero, hitting her seventh home run of the season.
Kiarra Lincoln had two of UHH’s four hits on the day, none of which came in the first game against Nunes. The Vuls touched the sophomore ace for two home runs in their win Monday, but Nunes struck out 12 after fanning 10 the day before and UHH’s only base runners were due to three walks and two hit batters.
Alvarado (6-4) was almost as good, taking a no-hitter into the seventh, which Mackenzie Graham opened with the first hit of the game. Pinch runner Lauren Lopez moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt, and sped to third on a ground out. With two outs and Sarah Krestchmar at bat, Lopez suddenly broke for home and slid in with the winning run.
“When I saw Lauren take off, we lost it in the dugout,” Nunes said. “It’s a great feeling seeing our teammate succeed.”
In 6 2/3 innings, Alvarado walked three and struck out one.
For Mejia, the league’s reigning player of the week, her homer was her third of the season. Liilii hit her third as well.
The Vulcans fell back into third place with the losses, also behind Hawaii Pacific (18-7). UH-Hilo’s next PacWest games will be against the Sharks on April 6 in Hilo, but first are five games this weekend in Turlock, Calif., at the Tournament of Champions.