HPU hangs on for 2-1 victory over UC San Diego, advances in NCAA II West Softball Regional

Box Score

St. GEORGE, UT - Hawaii Pacific's Ciera Senas singled and scored in the first inning and singled home what would prove to be the game-winning run in the third as the Sea Warriors defeated UC San Diego 2-1 Friday afternoon in the opening contest of the NCAA II West Regional in St. George, UT.

The Sea Warriors advanced to face host Dixie State on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.

Senas went 2 for 3 in the contest, driving in Laine Shikuma on a base hit in the third inning that proved to be the difference in the contest. Senas scored the first run of the game in the first inning when she crossed the plate on Krystal Plunket's base hit.

UC San Diego pulled within a run in the fifth, but Sherise Musquiz, who spelled starter Courtney Kessell in the fifth, put the clamps on the Tritons to preserve the win and earn the save. Kessell was terrific in the start, getting the win after scattering four hits and allowing just one earned run.

The Sea Warriors are now 41-10 on the season.