HPU softball sweeps in doubleheader

The Hawaii Pacific women’s softball team opened its season Wednesday by sweeping a doubleheader against Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) 2-0, 5-3 at Howard A. Okita Field.

Junior righthander Kristen Caskey pitched a three-hit shutout with six strikeouts in the opener.

Dorian Acierto, a senior from Kapolei, scored the Sharks’ first run of the season in the fourth inning on a groundout by Courtney Ahlo. Sharae Esprecion scored HPU’s insurance run on a throwing error in the fifth.

A four-run second inning propelled the Sharks in Game 2. Kiana Wolfe’s single up the middle drove in Acierto, Esprecion had a two-run double, and Keila Elderts’ single to center drove in Esprecion.

Paige Crawford went the distance on the mound for the win, giving up three runs, one unearned, on two hits.

Addy Nelson drove in two runs for Gustavus Adolphus (2-2).

Lam earns Big West tennis weekly honors

University of Hawaii men’s tennis player Carter Lam was named the Big West Tennis Athlete of the Week on Wednesday. This is the second consecutive week a UH men’s tennis player earned the recognition and Lam’s first Athlete of the Week honor.

Lam and doubles partner Nils Schuhmann defeated No. 39 Washington 6-4 on the No. 1 doubles court Jan. 29. The 5-foot-10 senior also won two of three singles matches on the road against San Diego and Seattle.