Rainbow Wahine rise in softball polls

The University of Hawaii softball team continued to climb in both national polls following its first road trip of the season.

The Rainbow Wahine (8-4) moved up a spot to No. 19 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll released on Tuesday. UH jumped two places to No. 21 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25.

UH went 3-3 in the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas over the weekend. The Rainbow Wahine posted wins over San Jose State, then-No. 7/9 Oregon and Utah Valley and lost to BYU, No. 19/18 UCLA and Nevada.

UH has this week off and opens a homestand Feb. 27 against Memphis. The Wahine then host the Bank of Hawaii Invitational (Memphis, Campbell, Western Kentucky) starting March 1.

Hawaii Pacific splits with Western Oregon

Melissa Kirby pitched an eight-hitter to lead Hawaii Pacific to a 7-3 victory and a doubleheader split with Western Oregon on Tuesday in Kaneohe.

Pomaikai Kalakau went 2-for-3 with a homer for HPU (6-2).

Western Oregon (4-7) won the opener, 8-5.

Hawaii Hilo finishes 12th in tourney

Hawaii Hilo placed 12th in the Lady Rattlers Roundup golf tournament in San Antonio on Tuesday.

Kacie Harada shot a final-round 76 for the Vulcans and finished in a tie for 19th place.

Isabell Jimenez Perea of Tarleton State led her school to the team victory and was medalist at 2-under 142.

BYUH men clinch spot in postseason

The Brigham Young-Hawaii men’s basketball team clinched a spot in the first-ever Pacific West Conference tournament with a 77-69 victory over Azusa Pacific on Monday in Laie.

Junior Pablo Coro scored 18 points and hit five 3-pointers for the Seasiders (13-10, 10-5 Pacific West Conference).

Azusa Pacific fell to 10-12 and 7-7.

HPU topples Northwest Nazarene

John Albert scattered six hits over 62⁄3 innings while giving up two runs to lead Hawaii Pacific to a 9-3 baseball win over Northwest Nazarene on Monday night at Hans L’Orange Park.

Hawaii Pacific improved to 7-3. Northwest Nazarene dropped to 5-4.

Vulcans upend Sea Warriors in hoops

Michael Melonas scored 17 points to lead Hawaii Hilo past Hawaii Pacific 78-62 in men’s basketball Monday in Hilo.

Kiel Myers grabbed nine rebounds for the Vulcans (6-17, 4-11 Pacific West Conference).

Michael Pierce scored 14 points for the Sea Warriors (9-13, 6-9).