Western New Mexico sweeps pair from HPU
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Defending Pacific West Conference champion Western New Mexico began its Hawai'i tour yesterday by sweeping a women's softball doubleheader against Hawai'i Pacific, 8-2 and 4-3, at HPU Windward field.
Yesterday's twinbill was the first meeting this season between the conference-leading Mustangs (22-1 overall, 2-0 PacWest) and the third-place Sea Warriors (16-6, 5-3).
The two teams will play another doubleheader today at noon. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Mustangs will play doubleheaders at Brigham Young-Hawai'i.
"New Mexico has always been a good team," HPU pitcher Malia Sullivan said. "Last year, they hurt us pretty bad. But honestly, we can do it against them if we put our offense and defense together at the same time."
In the second game, HPU mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning but were closed out by last season's PacWest Pitcher of the Year Angela Slaugh.
Trailing 4-3 with one out, HPU's Brandy Choy Foo's double chased starting pitcher Tiffany Mondhink who was replaced by Slaugh. Choy Foo advanced to third on a single by Tiari Keliinoi, but Slaugh struck out the next batter, and got cleanup hitter Holly Garcia to swing at a riseball pitch and fly out to deep left to end the game.
"In this weather, the ball doesn't break well," said Slaugh of her riseball pitch to Garcia. "That happened to be a flat one."
Three Mustang players had four hits: Shellie Broyles, Tiffany Mondhink and Rachel Stahle.
Choy Foo, Garcia and Keliinoi each had three hits for HPU.
"Taking two from Hawai'i Pacific in their backyard is a step in the right direction," Mustangs' coach Freddy Flores said. "Give Hawai'i Pacific credit, (because) they were a totally different ball club in the second game."
Slaugh (12-0) pitched a six-hitter in the first game and earned her first save in the second game in support of winner Mondhink (10-1).
Game 1
Western New Mexico 005 300 0 — 8 12 3
Hawaii Pacific 010 001 0 — 2 6 2
Angela Slaugh and Brianna Hausske. Jessica Parra, Jamie Reyes (4), Kristin Fujii (4) and Anuhea Diamond. W—Slaugh (12-0). L—Parra (6-2).
Leading hitters: WNMU—Jessica Garcia 2-4, double; Shellie Broyles 2-3, double, 3 RBIs; Tiffany Mondhink 2-3; Rachel Stahle 3-3. HPU—Kristin Fujii 2-2; Holly Garcia double.
Game 2
Western New Mexico 001 300 0 — 4 10 0
Hawaii Pacific 100 020 0 — 3 10 0
Tiffany Mondhink, Slaugh and Hausske. Malia Sullivan and Anuhea Diamond. W—Mondhink (10-1). L—Sullivan (7-2). S—Slaugh (1).
Leading hitters: WNMU—J. Garcia 2-4; Broyles 2-4; Mondhink 2-4, double. HPU—Brandy Choy Foo 3-4, double; Tiari Keliinoi 2-4; H. Garcia 2-4.
