Posted on: Thursday, March 22, 2001

HPU softball team faces road test

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i Pacific softball team's scheduled collision with Pacific West Conference rival Humboldt State tomorrow could go a long way in determining the Sea Warriors' post-season prospects.

The two teams will meet on the opening day of the Cal State-Hayward Pioneer Classic in Fremont, Calif. Nearly all of the NCAA Division II Western Region teams, including all four Hawai'i teams, are scheduled to participate in the 21-team tournament.

Results from the tournament, the Humboldt State game in particular, figure to play a big part in the selection process for the West Regional playoffs.

"This is huge," said Trey Garman, HPU's sports information director. "The selection committee heavily weighs how well you do against teams in your region, especially teams ranked ahead of you."

Humboldt State (26-6, 5-1 PacWest) is currently ranked No. 4 in Division II; HPU (26-2, 13-1 PacWest) is ranked No. 17.

HPU holds a six-game lead over Hawai'i-Hilo in the PacWest Pacific Division. Humboldt leads Western Washington by two games in the Western Division. Both teams' lengthy winning streaks were broken on Tuesday.

The Lumberjacks saw their 19-game streak come to an end in the nightcap of their doubleheader with Cal State San Bernadino.

HPU's15-game streak ended as it split a doubleheader with San Diego at home. The Sea Warriors played without freshman starting pitcher Jessica Parra in Tuesday's loss. Parra (12-0) is still recovering from flu-related dehydration but is expected to play in this week's tournament.

The Sea Warriors' only other loss came against UH-Hilo on March 3.

HPU plays Humboldt State tomorrow at 7 a.m. (Hawai'i time), then Pacific Lutheran at 11 a.m. and Sonoma State at 1 p.m. On Saturday, the Sea Warriors face Cal State-Bakersfield at 9:10 a.m. before heading into bracket play.