UH-Hilo’s softball team added one more positive data point to its standing in the West Region before it tries and make it a moot point.
The Vulcans got multihit games from six players and Leah Gonzales worked around seven walks as UHH concluded its regular season with another mercy rule win, 9-1 in six innings, against Hawaii Pacific at Walter Victor complex.
The Vuls (16-8) will head to the three-team PacWest pod tournament in Northern California in search of an automatic berth to regionals. If not, they still can earn at an-large bid by finishing in the top six in the region, and they helped their case with a three-game sweep of the Sharks (8-16).
Angel Prewitt collected two hits, two walks and four RBIs, Kamaile Labasan hit a two-run double, Nikki Zielinski scored three runs and Kiarra Lincoln, Markie Okamoto, Skylar Thomas also collected two hits apiece.
Gonzales went the distance, allowing Kanoe Tanigawa’s run-scoring single in the first but only four hits overall, three to Tanigawa.
UHH clinched the TKO when Zielinski singled, moved to third on a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice and scored on Prewitt’s hit.
Next stop: San Rafael, Calif.
The Vulcans will play a round robin series, two games each, against host Dominican (NorCal Champ) and SoCal Champ Concordia. The games will be played Wednesday and Thursday at times to be announced.
Golf: UH-Hilo’s Dustin Franko carded a 3-over 75 and was in a tie for 17th in the field of 86, seven shots behind the leader, Andrew Ni of Colorado State-Pueblo. Ni shot another 70 and was at 4-under, holding a two-stroke lead.
The top four teams after Saturday’s final round qualify for the NCAA championships, along with the top individual who is not on an advancing team.