HPU sweeps in softball

Paige Crawford’s pinch-hit two-run double down the left-field line in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Hawaii Pacific a 9-8 victory over Western Washington in Tuesday’s first game of a nonconference softball doubleheader at Okita Field.

The Sharks (6-0) completed the sweep when dowing the Vikings (3-3) 5-1 in the second game on Alexa McCain’s four-hitter.

The opener was a slugfest with the teams combing for 24 hits. HPU needed a five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, highlighted by two-run hits from Sharae Esprecion and Noelani Boyer with two outs.

In other nonconference games:

» Brigham Young-Hawaii (0-6) dropped a doubleheader to visiting Simon Fraser (4-1), losing to the Clan 9-1 in six innings and 10-6.

» Melanie Morelos homered to right-center in the top of the fifth for the game’s only run as Hawaii Hilo completed a sweep of Sonoma State with a 1-0 win in the second game at Rohnert Park, Calif.

The Vulcans (2-0) won the opener with the Seawolves (1-2) 8-2, helped by a four-run third.

Vulcans routed on road

Tre Johnson scored 18 points and Joey Rodriguez added 16 but it was not enough as Hawaii Hilo fell to Point Loma 84-65 in a PacWest men’s basketball game Tuesday in San Diego.

The Vulcans dropped to 10-10, 6-6 in PacWest. The Crusaders improved to 18-5 and 11-5.

» In the earlier women’s game, Jessica Escorza scored 19 points to lead Point Loma over Hawaii Hilo, 69-48.

Alexa Jacobs came off the bench for the Vulcans (7-11, 6-8). The Crusaders improved to 14-9 and 12-4.

Swords sign 4 in soccer

Jordan Taboniar, a midfielder who helped lead Kamehameha to to state titles, is among four Hawaii players who have signed to play soccer for Chaminade next season.

Also signing to play for Silverswords coach Michelle Richardson are:

Castle goalie Brandee Lane, chosen the Knights’ Most Valuable Player this past season; Kalani fullback Megan Mararagan, a four-year starter for the Falcons; and Roosevelt midfielder Caitlin Tatemichi, a two-time OIA selection for the Rough Riders.

Makapu‘u Dash on Sunday

The Epic Kayaks Makapu‘u Dash, the fourth event in the Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association season, offers two courses in eight divisions Sunday.

The 5-mile triangle course will be off Hawaii Kai and the 9-mile long course is from Makai Pier to Hawaii Kai. Both races start at 10 a.m. with check-in starting at 7 a.m. at Maunalua Bay.

The 9-mile event also is a designated surfski race and third in the Maui Jim Waterman’s Series. It includes a $720 purse for top three male and female finishers and the first male and female to reach the "hot spot" off Makapu‘u.

Information and registration available at kanakaikaika.com.