ISLE FILE
HPU captures softball tourney
Advertiser Staff
Tajia Acierto hit a two-run single and Kozy Toriano belted a two-run homer as the Hawai'i Pacific softball team defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills, 5-3, yesterday to capture the title of the Mizuno Tournament of Champions in Turlock, Calif.
Earlier in the day, the Sea Warriors (33-8) beat Cal State Monterey Bay, 8-4, in the quarterfinals of the Gold Bracket, then beat Western Oregon, 6-4, in the semifinals to reach the final of the prestigious 20-team tournament.
"The girls are just elated right now," HPU coach Bryan Nakasone said. "We've been coming to this tournament for many years now, and this is the first time we've won it. ... We've always felt we were one of the best teams in the region, and now we've proven it."
But not without some drama.
Starting pitcher Courtney Kessell (15-5) took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh and retired the first two batters. A walk, a single and another single made it 5-1. After Kessell issued her second walk of the game to load the bases, she was replaced by Sherise Musquiz.
Musquiz hit a batter and gave up an RBI single to make it 5-3 before striking out Khryssi Steele to strand three runners and earn the save.
In HPU's win over Monterey Bay, Ciera Senas' two-run single in the sixth broke a 4-4 tie, and Krystal Plunkett and Maile Kim opened the sixth with back-to-back homers. Musquiz pitched two hitless innings to earn the save for Kessell.
In HPU's win over Western Oregon, Musquiz (15-3) pitched a five-hitter, allowing one earned run while striking out four and walking one. Kim had three hits for the Sea Warriors, who led 6-1 after four innings.
Also yesterday, UC San Diego beat Hawai'i-Hilo, 10-2, in the title game of the Bronze Bracket. Christina Pedroza and Nicole Alconcel each had two hits for the Vulcans (21-19).
Earlier, Sierra Green hit a two-run double and Tessa Truong added a two-run triple as Hilo scored four runs in the top of the eighth to beat Chaminade, 9-5, and advance to the title game. Lauren Holmes batted 5 for 5 and Dana Lee hit a two-run homer for the Vulcans. Dawn Dela Cruz had two hits and two RBIs for the Silverswords (7-31).
TRACK AND FIELD
HAWAI'I'S KAUFMAN HIGH JUMPS 6 FEET
Hawai'i's Amber Kaufman won the high jump with a 6-foot effort Saturday and was named Field Athlete of the Meet at the Sacramento State Mondo Invitational in Sacramento, Calif.
Kaufman nearly cleared 6-1 1/4, which would have been a UH record and personal best, but clipped the bar on the way down.
Teammate Emily Sheppard placed second in the high jump at 5-7, and also set personal bests in the 100-meter hurdles (15.89 seconds) and 200-meter dash (25.44).
UH placed 1-2 in the javelin with Kai Schmidt (135 feet) and Lauren Cutler (126-6).
Other noteworthy performances by the Rainbow Wahine: Sam Whitehall set a personal best in the 800 (2:15.95), TeRina Keenan placed second in the discus (156-6) and Emma MacCourquodale finished third in the hammer throw (165-10).
UH will host its third Sunset Meet Saturday at the T.C. Ching Field.
