HPU rallies for berth in Division II College World Series

HPU rallies to claim Super Regional berth in D-II College World Series

 KANEOHE, HI – For the second straight year, one of the Pacific West Conference softball teams reigns as champion of the NCAA Division II West Region and will participate in the Division II Softball World Series.

After dropping the best-of-three Super Regional opener on Friday, Hawai‘i Pacific rallied for a doubleheader sweep of Chico State on Saturday to claim the regional championship and earn one of eight berths to the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament.

The Sea Warriors needed to win both games today over Chico State and responded with an 11-2 five-inning victory in game one and a 5-3 triumph in game two.

HPU now travels to St. Joseph, Mo., for the opening round of the National Championships. The Sea Warriors open the eight-team, double-elimination tournament on Thursday, May 27, at Noon HT against Wayne (MI) State.

The seventh-ranked Warriors of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) are 52-11 overall and advanced to the Division II College World Series with a 7-1 triumph over conference rival Ashland University (36-13 overall) in the second game of the best two-of-three Midwest Super Regional.

The tournament will run through Memorial Day when with the title game schedule for a live television broadcast on CBS College Sports.

“This is just an all-around great experience for the players and coaches,” HPU Head Coach Bryan Nakasone said. “We’ve had to pull out some gritty wins and I give the girls all the credit on the world.”

After a disappointing 5-0 loss in Friday’s opener, the Sea Warriors responded by winning game two 11-2 via the mercy rule. Maile Kim and Nicole Morrow each recorded two hits and one run, with Morrow adding two RBI. Kozy Toriano posted one hit, two runs and four RBI.

Charlotte Honciano and Christine Johnson each recorded one hit and one run to lead Chico State (33-21).

Sherise Musquiz earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing one earned run. Kacie McCarthy, in receiving the loss, allowed four earned runs in 2.2 innings of work.

Musquiz won game two to improve to 29-3 on the season. She pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on three hits. McCarthy was again the pitcher of record for the Wildcats, allowing five runs in six innings of work.

The Sea Warriors (46-8) scored four first-inning runs, giving Musquiz the cushion she would need. Morrow led HPU with two hits, one run, and two RBI, while Musquiz helped her own cause with two hits and one run scored.

Honciano and Sam Quadt both recorded three hits to lead the Wildcats.

“It was great we were able to come back from such a tough loss on Friday,” Casey Sugihara, HPU’s senior infielder, said. “I’m looking forward to the national tournament.”

The Sea Warriors are scheduled for either a Monday night or early Tuesday morning flight to Missouri. Each HPU game will be broadcasted live on www.redzonemedia.com and simulcast on AM 1500 radio.