HPU blanks Angelo State 1-0 in 10 innings, stays in winner’s bracket of national tourney

***HPU blanks Angelo State 1-0 in 10 innings,* *stays in winner’s bracket of national tourney***

ST. JOSEPH’S, Mo. – It took 10 innings, an unearned run, and shutout pitching from Sherise Musquiz, but Hawai‘i Pacific moved one step close to a national title on Friday by beating Angelo (TX) State 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Division II Softball World Series.

The Sea Warriors (48-8) are 2-0 in the tournament and jump all the way to the semifinal round on Sunday against a foe to be determined. HPU will either face a rematch against Angelo State or Wayne State, or will take on Metro State (Denver, Colo.) on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. HT.

Wayne State and Metro State play an elimination game on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. HT, with the winner taking on Angelo State at 2:30 p.m. HT in another elimination contest.

The Sea Warriors need just one victory on Sunday to advance into Monday’s nationally-televised title game, while their opponent – having already been saddled with one loss – will need to beat HPA twice. Should Hawai‘i Pacific lose the first game game on Sunday, the two teams would return at 2:30 p.m. HT for a berth in the championship contest.

Hawai‘i Pacific and Angelo State (49-14) battled through nine scoreless innings, but in the top of the 10^th HPU’s Kozy Toriano scored the game-wininng run from third on a throwing error by the Angelo State catcher.

The play began with runners on first and third and two outs. HPU pinch runner Malia Killam took off from first base setting off a chain reaction that induced an error that allowed Toriano to score. Killam was credited with a stolen base.

Each team managed six base hits, but Musquiz improved her record to 32-3 on the season by keeping the Rams off the scoreboard.

Toriano finished the game 2 for 4 with a run scored, while Casey Sugihara doubled in four at-bats. Ciera Senas, Breanne Patton and Musquiz each singled.

Sunday’s game can be heard live on the Internet at Red Zone Media and will be simulcast on AM 1500 radio in Hawai‘i.

The game can be viewed online at NCAA TV.

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