San Rafael, CALIF. -- Dominican University of California (11-12, 8-4) suffered a controversial game one loss on its way to splitting the Saturday doubleheader with The University of Hawaii at Hilo (9-16, 6-10). 

GAME ONE

Runs in both the first and second victory ultimately proved to be enough as the Vulcans narrowly escaped a late comeback attempt by the Penguins. Senior Shelby Keltner celebrated her Dominican strikeout record by sitting down five via strikeout while allowing just just two runs and seven hits while pitching a complete game. Dominican also connected for seven hits, all coming from different batters as Keltner worked from both sides of the plate knocking in Dominican's only run in game one. 

Five of the Vulcans seven hits came in the first two innings in addition to both runs as Ketlner settled in a saw calm seas the remainder of the way. Both sides were able to put the leadoff runner on first in the opening inning as freshman Kate Tobola singled to center field before getting caught stealing just a pair of pitches later. It wasn't until the sixth inning before Dominican was able to put another bat on a ball with senior Celeste Salas breaking the streak of 16 consecutive retired batters for Dominican with a single up the middle of the infield. Senior Faith Erb also notched a hit in the inning but neither batter was able to cross home plate as the score stayed 2-0 in favor of Hilo. 

The game did not end without its fair share of drama as the bottom of the seventh inning saw Dominican come within a single run after sophomore Alicia Garcia and Keltner put themselves on base with back-to-back singles to start the inning with Garcia rounding third and touching home plate to give Keltner the RBI single. Freshman Alexis Abalos came in to pinch run for Keltner, a decision that immediately paid off as she advanced to second on a wild pitch moments later after Dominican gave up its first out of the inning. The next Penguin batter flew out to leave it a one-run game with a runner on second and two outs with senior Lauren Lapinid due up at the plate. Lapinid made quick work of the at-bat, hitting a single up the middle with the count reading 2-0 to advance Abalos to third before rounding the corner with home base in her sights. Ultimately, Abalos dove for the home plate, seemingly going untouched before tapping home but the umpire ruled she did not touch the corner of the plate before the catcher tagged her, ultimately ending the game in controversy with the Vulcans holding onto their 2-1 lead. 

GAME TWO

Dominican found its bearing in game two, knocking home six runs to find itself with a 6-3 win. Tobola led the way with a trio of RBIs on three hits while Keltner added two more RBIs to her stat line in addition to another hit that came as her first ever collegiate homerun. Salas notched the sixth and final RBI for the Penguins. Pitching was done by committee for the Penguins in game two with freshman Jayla Cadena notching the win after working for 3.1 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs. Freshman Mia Souza added 2.2 innings of scoreless, one-hit work while Keltner allowed just one hit in her lone inning pitched. 

Keltner's homerun came in the first inning with Tobola already on first base after another leadoff single. The Penguins doubled their score in the bottom of the second with Tobola again finding the stat sheet, this time with a 2-RBI single to right field. The Vulcans threatened the Penguin lead in the fourth inning, adding its third run to the scoreboard but this would be as close as they came as the Penguin pitchers kept the visiting side at length by allowing just one hit through the final three innings of play. The bottom of the sixth saw the final two runs round the bases as Dominican eventually walked away with a 6-3 victory in game two.