College softball: UHH hosts Academy of the Arts at Kealakehe HS

The University of Hawaii-Hilo softball team is heading to the west side of the Big Island for a pair of doubleheaders against visiting Academy of the Arts.

The Vulcans will host the Urban Knights today and Saturday at Kealakehe High School.

Today’s twinbill is slated for 12:30 p.m., while Saturday’s doubleheader will be played after Game 2 of the BIIF Division I semifinal series between Kealakehe and Hilo, which has been bumped up to 11 a.m.

The four-game series has been moved to Kailua-Kona due to rain and wet field conditions in Hilo.

There is no cost to attend the games.

UHH is 25-14 on the season and 18-8 in the Pacific West Conference.

Offensively the Vuls have six starters hitting over .300: Rayla Jacobs-Kea (.323), Vevesi Liilii (.320), Kiarra Lincoln (.316), Maria Steadmon (.313), Isabelle Mejia (.305) and Brinell Kaleikini (.301).

Lincoln leads the team in runs scored (30), RBI’s (28), total bases (65) and is tied for the team lead in home runs (4) with Skylar Thomas.

However, inside the circle is where UHH really shines. The Vuls throw four pitchers.

Valerie Alvarado is the innings eater, boasting a 3.03 ERA over a team high 97 innings. Jsabelle Mejia shows a lot of control in the circle, with only 25 walks in 78 innings. She also has an ERA of 2.96. Billli Derleth keeps the ball on the ground, having allowed only one home run over 46 2/3 innings. She has a 1.95 ERA. Finally, Leah Gonzales leads the team with a 1.42 ERA in 39 1/3 innings of work.

Academy of the Arts is 13-12 overall and 9-6 in the PacWest.