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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 18, 2008

HPU moves into baseball regional rankings

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Amazing what one week and 43 runs can do to enhance a team's image.

This time last week, the Hawai'i Pacific University baseball team was well-respected but only three voters from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association found it fit for a regional ranking.

That was before the Sea Warriors took five of six games from Patten University, scoring 43 total runs in the process.

This week, voters recognized HPU with a No. 7 ranking in the West Region poll.

Still, the Sea Warriors have much to prove. Their gaudy 20-7 record was cultivated in the comforts of their home field. Their upcoming road trip to Dixie State and San Francisco State will be closely observed.

The Sea Warriors have won 10 of their past 11 games.

UNDERDOG DAYS

With conference player of the year Lucas Alves leading a deep, talented and hungry BYUH squad, the Seasiders impressive run through the NCAA Division II West Region Championships probably shouldn't have come as a surprise.

Still, what BYUH pulled off in back-to-back days to start the tournament is worth noting.

First, the No. 7 seed Seasiders held off a late rally by No. 2 Cal State San Bernadino (who had ousted BYUH from the tournament last year) to win, 67-63.

The next day, the Seasiders blew out PacWest champion Chaminade, the No. 3 seed, 83-62.

BYUH's breakthrough victory against the Silverswords couldn't have come at a better time. Chaminade had defeated BYUH in three tightly contested games this season.

Alves averaged 17 points in the two games.

JUST WIN, BABY

If winning is a habit, as Vince Lombardi preached, it doesn't appear that the BYUH women's tennis team and the HPU men's team will be heading to rehab anytime soon.

The Seasiders, ranked No. 1 nationally, improved to 10-0 with an 8-1 win over Division I Illinois State last week. It was the 70th consecutive victory for the program.

Meanwhile, the No. 22 HPU men have been picking up steam, notching a 6-3 win over St. Edwards on Sunday to improve to 7-0 on the season.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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