Monday, April 26, 1999
HPU heads to playoffs
By Jerry Campany
on high note
Special to the Star BulletinHawaii Pacific's already potent offense has added another bat for the playoffs.
Jennifer Kimura went 5-for-6 with four runs batted in to help the HPU women's softball team sweep Chaminade, 9-0 and 7-0, yesterday at the Sea Warriors' Field in Kaneohe.
Hawaii Pacific improved to 40-3-1, while Chaminade fell to 10-30.
Kimura, a senior, came into the game struggling with a .209 average.
"She has always been a solid hitter," Hawaii Pacific head coach Howard Okita said. "But nobody can touch her defensively."
After having their school record 21-game winning streak snapped by BYUH on Saturday, the Sea Warriors would not be denied. Pitcher Jennifer Monzon started the doubleheader by striking out two of the three Silverswords she faced.
The HPU offense responded by scoring six runs in the first inning. Monzon struck out eight and allowed two hits for her 21st win of the season, tying Susie Schoales for the single-season school record.
Schoales took the ball in the second game and picked up where Monzon left off but had to wait for offensive support. She was locked in a scoreless duel with Sara Lacar until HPU first baseman Felisa Pascua drilled the first pitch of the fifth over the left field fence.
Hawaii Pacific expects to host Humboldt State in the three-game Pacific West conference championship beginning May 7, but will not know whether they should make travel plans until later this week.
Monzon finished the regular season with school records in wins (21), earned run average (0.41) and strikeouts (122).
Right fielder Lyrissa Sagawa shattered Lynette Williams' single season batting mark by 52 points with a .496 average.
