ISLE FILE
Patacchia, Barger win in California surf
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i surfers Fred Patacchia Jr. and Kai Barger won contests in California yesterday.
Patacchia won the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, and Barger won the Oakley Pro Junior. Both events were completed in 2- to 4-foot waves at Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif.
Patacchia dominated the Lowers Pro, winning three heats yesterday in convincing fashion.
He scored a 9.17 (out of 10) to defeat North Carolina's Ben Bourgeois in the final.
"I'm psyching," said Patacchia, who is from O'ahu's North Shore. "We got fun waves throughout the whole event."
Patacchia, who beat Maui's Dusty Payne in the quarterfinals, received $20,000 for the victory. The contest was part of surfing's World Qualifying Series, and featured most of the top-ranked pros in America.
Maui's Barger had a near-flawless final in the Oakley Pro Junior, receiving a two-wave total score of 18.60 (out of 20).
"I'm so stoked because I felt like people would be wondering if I didn't back up my win from (January's world junior championships) with another result," said Barger, 19.
The contest featured surfers age 20 and younger. O'ahu's Kiron Jabour finished third.
SOFTBALL
HPU CLINCHES TITLE
Hawai'i Pacific swept host Hawai'i-Hilo, 7-2 and 6-2, yesterday to clinch its third straight Pacific West Conference championship.
In the opener, reliever Sherise Musquiz pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings and hit a two-run single to spice a five-run ninth as the Sea Warriors (40-10, 22-4) rallied past the Vulcans (26-22, 15-10).
In the second game, Courtney Kessell pitched a seven-hitter and had two hits and two RBIs, and Tajia Acierto had two hits and three RBIs to lead HPU.
