KONA, Hawaii – Dominican women's softball was unable to overcome a first inning deficit in a 12-2 loss the first game. The Penguins (3-6, 2-6 PacWest) then failed to find timely hitting in a 2-0 loss in the second game against the University of Hawai'i at Hilo on Wednesday afternoon at Kealakehe High School.
Game one
Billi Derleth fired up the Vulcans' (14-4, 9-1 PacWest) offense, going 3-for-3 with four RBI, while Isabelle Mejia earned the win for Hilo, giving up two runs on just one hit, improving her record to 7-0 on the season.
After the Vulcans led off the bottom of the first with two walks, Vevesi Liilii cleared the bases with a 3-run home run to put them on top early. UHH loaded the bases with singles and Chloe Domingo drew a walk for the fourth run of the game before Derleth hit a grand slam to make it 8-0 after one.
Dominican loaded the bases on three straight walks in the top of the second before
Alexis Chinchilla ripped a single to left field to get the Penguins on the board.
Mady Christensen was then hit by a pitch to bring one more in and cut the deficit to six. Mejia was able to get out of the bases-loaded jam, inducing a pair of fly outs.
The Penguins were able to hold the Vulcans off the board over the next three frames, but were unable to get any more runs on Mejia and close the gap. UHH had yet another offensive burst in the bottom of the fourth as they loaded the bases and took advantage of an error on a single by Brinell Kaleikini to score two and extend the lead back to eight. Skylar Thomas then doubled home two more to seal the five inning victory.
Game two
Haley Cheek led Dominican in the second game, going 2-for-3 while Christensen added a 2-for-4 game with a double.
Alyssa Waltman held the Vulcans to two runs, but it was not enough to overcome Valerie Alvarado's complete game shutout for UHH.
The Vulcans once again struck first in the game as a Lauren Flores singled to left field and advanced into scoring position on an error. Waltman was able to force a groundout on the next at bat, but Kiarra Lincoln was able to lace a two-out single into left to bring home Flores for the 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the third, Christensen singled to left field and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch to get some offensive momentum going for the Penguins.
McKenzie Schumacher followed up with an infield single to the shortstop and stole second with one out. The clutch hitting would not come however as Alvarado retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.
After two scoreless innings on both ends, Mejia entered as a pinch hitter and knocked out a solo shot to give the Vulcans some insurance heading into the seventh.
Dominican made the most of their chance as
Haley Cheek singled to center to start a rally for the Penguins. Ramirez kept the late momentum going with a walk to advance Cheek into scoring position and Chinchilla reached on an error by the catcher to load the bases with one out. Once again the Penguins were unable to get the clutch hit as Alvarado retired the final two batters to end the game.
Dominican will continue its series with the Vulcans with a doubleheader Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. HST at Kealakehe High School. Live stats will be available online.
