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Kapolei's Acierto honored by Gatorade

Kapolei High pitcher Tajia Acierto was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year in softball yesterday.

Acierto was 15-1 with a 1.13 ERA, striking out 83 over 105 innings for the Hurricanes. She was the winning pitcher in the state championship final, a 4-1 victory over Kailua which gave Kapolei its first state title in any sport.

Acierto is now eligible for national honors which will be announced later this month.

Scott's team advances in China

Former University of Hawaii volleyball player Sean Scott and teammate Todd Rogers became the fourth U.S. team in this week's main draw of the $180,000 SWATCH-FIVB Beach World Tour event held in Lianyungang, China.

Rogers and Scott, the top-seeded duo in the qualification tournament, defeated the South African team of Gerson Pocock-Colin Rorich, 21-12, 21-16, yesterday to earn a spot in the first round of today's main draw. Rogers-Scott joins other U.S. teams of Dain Blanton-Jeff Nygaard, Dax Holdren-Stein Metzger (Punahou) and Eric Fonoimoana-Kevin Wong (Punahou).

Vulcans fall to New York Tech in baseball

New York Institute of Technology scored 12 runs over the last four innings to rally for a 13-9 victory over the Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans in the first game of the NCAA Division I Independent Baseball Invitational held yesterday in Greeley, Colo.

New York Tech trailed 6-1 heading into the sixth inning but scored three runs in the sixth, one in the seventh, two in the eighth and six in the ninth to down Hilo. The Bears improved to 18-32 while the Vulcans fell to 9-41 after their seventh straight loss.

The Vulcans tried to a mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth as David Chu hit a two-run homer to pull Hilo to within 13-9. Chu's celebration led to the two teams tangling in a shouting match with Chu eventually ejected for taunting.

The Vulcans have allowed 10 or more runs in each of their three games here this week.

Kodama 17th at NCAA regional

UH golfer Matt Kodama fired a one-under 71 to finish tied for 17th after the first round of the NCAA Men's Golf West Regional yesterday in Oregon.

Kodama is one of six golfers competing from non-qualifying schools at the regional. The top two individuals not from qualifying teams will advance to the NCAA finals June 1-4.

The regional continues with round two today and rounds three and four tomorrow.

Hayashi tops list of qualifiers

Kevin Hayashi shot a 69 to top the list of four local qualifiers for the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier June 7th.

Joining Hayashi in the qualifier are Kevin Carll, who shot a 70, and Zach Reeves and Joe Phengsavath, who each shot 73 to finish in the top four. The winner of next month's qualifier will advance to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills on June 17-20.

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