Mike Aina of Hilo defeated California's Billy Evangelista via a controversial disqualification in the main event of the Strikeforce Challenger Series mixed martial arts card last night at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Aina was awarded the victory when the referee ruled that Evangelista landed an illegal knee strike to Aina's head midway through the second round.

Television replays indicated that Evangelista's knee did not hit Aina's head. Still, Aina left the cage with what appeared to be an injured jaw.

Aina improved to 12-6-1. Evangelista, who is from Fresno, suffered the first loss of his professional career to drop to 9-1.

The bout was televised nationally on the Showtime cable network.

In an undercard bout, Kaleo Kwan of Waimanalo lost a three-round decision to France's Ousmane Thomas Diagne.

GOLF

CORPUZ LEADS BY ONE

Allisen Corpuz, an 11-year-old Punahou School fifth-grader, shot a 2-under-par 70 yesterday to take a one-shot lead in the first round of the Jennie K. Wilson Invitational at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

The Jennie K. is the first women's major of the Hawai'i golf season.

Cyd Okino, a 15-year-old Punahou sophomore, shot a 71. Courie Hou, a University of Hawai'i junior, and Kristina Merkle, Moanalua senior, were tied at 73. Eimi Koga, a 13-year-old Aliamanu eighth-grader, was at 74.

The tournament runs through tomorrow.

BASKETBALL

ILLINI TRANSFER TO HPU

Hawai'i Pacific has signed C.J. Jackson, a 6-foot-8, 265-pound power forward who played at Illinois, to a national letter of intent, the school announced Tuesday.

Jackson, a two-time all-state high school player in Georgia, played sparingly as a redshirt junior this past season with the Illini. He received his release from the Big Ten school and will be eligible to play in the upcoming season.

Earlier, HPU announced the signings of two others transfers — forward Normal Wells of Indiana State and guard Ray Murdock of University of San Diego.

TRACK AND FIELD

UH SECOND AT WAC

Jessica Custance won Hawai'i's second gold medal, capturing the pole vault at the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships yesterday at Logan, Utah.

Nevada leads the meet with 62.5 points followed by UH with 54 entering today's final day of competition.

Custance cleared 12 feet, 7 1/2 inches (3.85 meters) in the pole vault. UH's Samantha Weaver scored four team points with her fourth place finish 12-1 1/2 (3.70m).

Annett Wichmann added to her career WAC medal count (12) with a silver in the javelin with a throw of 158-10 (48.42m). She also placed fifth in the shot put with a 46-10 1/4 (14.28m).

Kai Schmidt won bronze in the javelin and became UH's eighth regional qualifier this season with a throw of 146-4 (44.62m).

SOFTBALL

UH TRIO ALL-REGION

Hawai'i pitcher Stephanie Ricketts, first baseman Amanda Tauali'i and outfielder Tanisha Milca have been named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-West Region team.

The West is one of 10 all-region teams chosen by NFCA member coaches. Honorees are eligible for selection to the All-America teams, which will be announced on May 27.

Australian pitcher signs: UH head coach Bob Coolen announced the signing of Kaia Parnaby, a 5-foot-5 left-handed pitcher from New South Wales, Australia. Parnaby is a member of the U-19 New South Wales and Australian national squads. She is a Freshwater Senior Campus graduate.