Chico State defeats HPU 5-0 in Super Regional opener

 Chico State claims 5-0 win in game one of Super Regional

KANEOHE, HI – Chico State beat Hawai‘i Pacific 5-0 on Friday in the opening game of the best-of-three NCAA Division II Softball Championship West Regional.

The Wildcats need just one win on Saturday to earn a ticket to St. Joseph's, Mo., for the softball elite eight. The Sea Warriors need to win two games on Saturday.

Sherise Musquiz (27-3) received the loss in seven innings of work. She allowed three earned runs on 10 hits. Kacie McCarthy allowed just four hits in the shutout win, improving to 17-10.

Casey Sugihara, Breanne Patton, Chelsea Luckey, and Musquiz each collected base hits for the Sea Warriors. Courtney Brock and Jenna Wermes each ripped a pair of base hits and scored a run for the Wildcats. Wermes added an RBI.

The loss dips HPU's record to 44-8 while the Wildcats improve to 33-19.

Saturday's first game will begin at 11 a.m. HT at Howard A. Okita Field and can be heard live on the Internet at www.redzonemedia.com.

An HPU victory would force a decisive third game which would begin at 1:30 p.m. HT.