Hilo's Aina to fight on Showtime

Hilo's “;Iron”; Mike Aina (11-6-1) will fight undefeated lightweight Billy Evangelista (9-0) in the main event of Strikeforce's debut SHO MMA event on Showtime on May 15 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Aina is best known for taking Nick Diaz to the limit in a three-round, split-decision loss in September of 2007 on an EliteXC card at the Blaisdell Arena. Since then, he has won two fights, beating Kaleo Kwan by unanimous decision and Ismael Gonzalves by submission in Hilo.

The card will be broadcast on Showtime on a 3-hour, tape-delayed basis in Hawaii, beginning at 8 p.m.

There's talk Aina could fill in for Josh Thomson against Gilbert Melendez on Saturday's Strikeforce card, but nothing has been made official. Thomson had to withdraw with a broken foot.

Diamond Head Classic shaping up

A team from the Midwest is being sought to fill one of two remaining gaps in the inaugural Diamond Head Classic field, sources said yesterday.

Saint Mary's of the West Coast Conference and Georgia of the Southeastern Conference have been confirmed as two teams participating in the tournament, in addition to host Hawaii, USC of the Pac-10, UNLV of the Mountain West Conference and College of Charleston of the Southern Conference.

The Diamond Head Classic will replace the Rainbow Classic as the Rainbow Warriors' signature holiday tournament. Organizers have said they wish to include teams from across the country to maximize interest for the tourney to be played Dec. 22, 23, and 25 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

An official announcement of the eight-team field is expected within days.

Kaufman picks up weekly award

Hawaii sophomore high jumper Amber Kaufman was named the Western Athletic Conference women's outdoor track and field athlete of the week yesterday.

Kaufman, of San Jose, Calif., excelled at the Sacramento State Mondo Invitational, winning the high jump with a mark of 6-0 — a meet record, and the second-best mark in the country this year. The weekly award was the first of her career.

Last week, Annett Wichman took field athlete of the week.

Hawaii freshman honored by WAC

Freshman designated hitter Makani Duhaylonsod-Kaleimamahu was named the Western Athletic Conference hitter of the week yesterday.

The Mililani graduate picked up her first weekly honor of the season by leading Hawaii to a series victory over No. 22 Fresno State. She hit .583 and started several big rallies for the Rainbow Wahine, including the game-winning run in the 16th inning of the series' second game.

Wolf Pack sweeps Wahine in tennis

The Hawaii women's tennis team fell to No. 56 Nevada 7-0 yesterday in Reno, Nev.

Nevada triumphed in tight three-set matches on the Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 6 singles courts to extinguish Hawaii's hopes.

UH fell to 10-11 and 2-2 in the WAC.

[ PACWEST PLACE ]

HPU sweeps softball weekly honors

Hawaii Pacific softball players Maile Kim and Sherise Musquiz were honored as the PacWest player and pitcher of the week yesterday.

Kim, a freshman, batted .463 with 14 RBIs and five home runs from March 30 to April 5, and Musquiz, a junior, went 4-2 over that span with three complete games, two saves and a 1.97 ERA in eight appearances.