The third-ranked Hawai'i Pacific University softball team got a strong outing from first team All-American pitcher Sherise Musquiz, who worked a complete-game three-hitter, to beat No. 7 Wayne State (Mich.) 3-1 Thursday at the NCAA ;Division II Softball World Series.

It was the opening game for both teams at Heritage Park in St. Joseph, Mo. The Sea Warriors (49-6) advanced in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament and will play Angelo State (49-13) Friday at 1:30 p.m. Hawai'i time.

Senior second baseman Casey Sugihara, the No. 2 hitter, opened the scoring with a two-out single in the bottom of the third inning that drove in two runs. Sugihara lined a ball over the shortstop, which scored Caira Pires from third and Brianne Patton from second.

The Sea Warriors added a run in the fourth when Musquiz hit a one-out, RBI single to left field that plated Maile Kim from third. Kim, a third-team All-American, led the inning off with a double.

Musquiz gave up a two-out triple in the top of the third inning and walked the next batter, but got a flyout to right field to end the inning.

Wayne State got on the board in the top of the seventh inning, scoring its first run when HPU committed two throwing errors on one play. The potential tying run reached the plate, but Musquiz got the final two outs on fly balls to end the game.

Wayne State (52-12) junior Casey Haynes, also a first-team All-American pitcher, took the loss and fell to 42-7.