Hawaii Pacific
at brink of elimination

Star-Bulletin staff

WEST COVINA, Calif. -- Top-ranked Hawaii Pacific rebounded from its first shutout in 92 games by eliminating Concordia University, 9-1, yesterday at the NAIA Far West Regional.

The Sea Warriors (43-6) were to meet Southern California College (20-32) today at 8:30 a.m. HST in a loser-out contest. Yesterday, the Vanguards stunned HPU, 1-0, ending the Sea Warriors' 10-game winning streak.

HPU will again face SCC pitcher Gretchen Brandt, who tossed a two-hitter and struck out 15 Sea Warriors, an HPU opponent record. The only Vanguard run was unearned, coming in the second when Rachel Carver scored following right fielder Michele Ringor's first error of the season.

"We faced a good pitcher who had a nice little rise ball," said HPU coach Howard Okita. "I think we'll be a little more prepared to see (Brandt) this time. You always hate to lose but it shows that if you're not disciplined against a good pitcher, you're going to be in trouble. We were not disciplined today."

The Sea Warriors had not been shut out since losing to Hawaii, 8-0, on Feb. 16, 1996. The last NAIA team to blank HPU was Shawnee State at the 1995 NAIA national tournament.

The winner of the HPU-SCC contest will take on fourth-ranked Azusa Pacific later today in the championship game. Should Azusa Pacific lose, it would force a deciding game tomorrow to determine the winner of the automatic berth to the nationals.

Yesterday afternoon, designated hitter Chameka Costa hit a school-record two triples and drove in three runs in a seven-run third inning to keep the Sea Warriors alive in the tournament. Center fielder Star Perry also drove in three runs in the third with her bases-loaded double, giving her the HPU single-season mark for most doubles at 18.

Raquel De La Garza and Lisa Balbirnie combined on a three-hitter.

The Eagles' lone run was unearned, giving them a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the second.