Hyland Makes History, but Cal Poly Edged by Hawai'i in Series Opener, 3-2

Friday, April 17

4 pm

21-23, 4-6

Hawai'i

25-18, 6-4

Hawai'i

Cal Poly

Hyland Makes History, but Cal Poly Edged by Hawai'i in Series Opener, 3-2

4/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Sophomore righthander Sierra Hyland became just the second pitcher in Cal Poly softball program history to record a second successive 200-strikeout season, but the Mustangs – despite closing their gap late – dropped a 3-2 decision to Hawai'i in a Friday afternoon series opener at Bob Janssen Field.

Swept by the Mustangs (21-23, 4-6) in Honolulu last season, Hawai'i (25-18, 6-4) grabbed the only lead of the game in the top of the first. Hyland hit Rainbow Wahine right fielder Keiki Carlos with the first pitch of the game and, after catcher Kayla Wartner laid down a sacrifice bunt, Hawai'i designated player Leisha Li'ili'I doubled to left field for the game's opening run. After stealing third base later in the inning, Li'ili'I put Hawai'i up 2-0 after Mustang freshman catcher Susanne Morris sailed a throw over freshman third baseman Stephanie Heyward.

Following the first inning, Hyland (16-15) retired six of the next seven Rainbow Wahine hitters she faced. Hawai'i, however, tacked on its third run in the fourth as second baseman Dori Ann Sugai singled through the left side of the infield to score pinch runner Sarah McAndrew.

Hyland, who finished with four strikeouts, recorded strikeout No. 200 against Carlos to close the top of the second inning. Hyland, who struck out a program-record 263 hitters last season, is the first Mustang pitcher with back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons since All-America selection Desarie Knipfer (1997-98).

Freshman shortstop Chelsea Convissar collected Cal Poly's first hit of the game with a one-out single in the first, but Hawai'i starting righthander Brittany Hitchcock (12-6) recovered by retiring 13 successive Mustangs.

In the sixth, Cal Poly enjoyed a one-out triple from senior left fielder Emily Ceccacci before Convissar followed with a second triple to right field. Sophomore Courtney Tyler then cut Cal Poly's deficit to 3-2 with a run-scoring single.

Hitchcock was lifted in favor of Kanani Aina Cabrales, who recorded outs versus successive Mustang hitters to close the sixth and preserve Hawai'i's lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mustang junior designated player Betsy Colburn singled with one down, but Cal Poly failed to move the runner past first base and fell to 9-7 in one-run games this season.

The Mustangs and Rainbow Wahine complete their three-game series with a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, April 18.