Long Beach State sophomore Cielo Meza struck out a school-record 17 and the 18th-ranked 49ers sent the University of Hawaii softball team to a 6-0 loss to open the Big West Conference season on Friday in Long Beach, Calif.
Meza (15-2) struck out eight of the first nine batters she faced on her way to breaking the LBSU record of 16 set in 2008. She held UH to four hits and walked none as LBSU improved to 27-7.
LBSU scored four runs in the second inning off of UH starter Dana Thomsen (9-10), three crossing the plate on Naomi Hernandez’s bases-loaded triple. Thomsen gave up 11 hits and struck out two in 5 1/3 innings. UH senior Danielle Garcielita singled in both of her plate appearances for the Rainbow Wahine (16-14).
The series concludes today with a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.
Hawaii Pacific splits doubleheader
The Hawaii Pacific baseball team split a road doubleheader with Fresno Pacific on Friday.
The Sharks (13-14, 7-12 PacWest) were edged by the Sunbirds 6-5 in the first game. Alex Garcia picked up a complete game victory for Fresno Pacific(13-12, 10-9), striking out eight and walking just one despite giving up 11 hits.
HPU responded with a 14-3 win in Game 2. The Sharks had 15 hits, led by Wyatt Hoppie’s three hits, three runs and four RBIs.
>> Hawaii Hilo was edged by Dixie State 14-12 in Dixie, Utah. The Vulcans (11-15, 7-11) had 14 hits, led by Phillip Steering’s 2-for-4 performance with three RBIs and a home run. The Trailblazers (14-18, 10-12) topped UHH behind 20 hits, led by Logan Porter’s four hits, including a home run.
Chaminade swept in doubleheader
The Chaminade softball team was swept in a PacWest road doubleheader by Holy Names in Moraga, Calif.
The Silverswords (10-26, 6-18) dropped the first game 3-2 despite outhitting the Hawks 11-4. Chailey Stewart picked up the win after tossing a complete game, striking out three and walking three. Chaminade was held to four hits in game two, losing 5-2. Haighley Kissee struck out three and allowed just four hits in a complete game for Holy Names (3-23, 3-12).
>>Hawaii Pacific’s softball team split its twin bill with Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, Calif. The Sharks (15-14, 8-10) took the first game 7-3 behind a game-high three hits from Campbell alum Cieana Curran. The Argonauts (10-25, 6-8) took the second game 8-2. Sofia Garcia pitched a complete game for NDNU, scattering four hits to go along with two walks and two strikeouts.
>> Also splitting its doubleheader was Hawaii Hilo, which fell to Dominican 5-3 then won 11-3.
The Vulcans (23-11, 11-5) had a 3-0 lead entering the fourth inning until the Penguins (13-25, 4-14) scored all five runs in the fourth frame. Hawaii Hilo responded in Game 2 with 11 hits, led by leadoff hitter Mari Kawano’s three hits and two runs.
