Nishizawa, Punahou shut down Mid-Pacific, 11-0

Punahou pitcher Nicole Nishizawa threw a two-hitter with eight strike outs in a win over Mid-Pacific. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Led by a strong performance in the circle from starter Nicole Nishizawa, Punahou improved to 5-1 in league play with a 11-0 win over Mid-Pacific.

Nishizawa kept the Owls' lineup off-balance all afternoon, scattering just two hits over six innings of work. The senior right hander recorded 8 strikeouts and walked just three to earn the win. She also helped her own cause with a 2-for-2 day at the plate with 2 RBIs.

"I felt pretty confident, I knew the team had my back and Sarah Buck also called a great game," said Nishizawa. "The rain definitely challenged me, but we were able to pull through this time."

Offensively, the Buffanblu got things going from the get-go, taking the early lead in the last of the first off of a towering shot to the warning track by Krystin Wong good for a 2-run double. Wong finished the afternoon 2-for-3 with a double, 2 RBIs, a run scored.

"A goal this game was to start early, and to jump on the board first and I think the top part of our lineup did good," said Wong.

"Krystin can definitely bomb more than anyone else on the team," remarked Nishizawa. "She's a great at-bat and super valuable in our lineup."

Then in the bottom of the second, Sarah Sumida laced an RBI single to center and Nishizawa followed with a single to right good for 2 more runs, as Punahou jumped out to a 5-0 advantage. That lead definitely provided a comfort zone for Nishizawa, who seemed to grow stronger as the game wore on.

"I've noticed that she (Nicole) plays a lot more relaxed and a lot better when we either have a lead or she knows she can trust her defense, so we really stress that," said Wong.

The home team continued to build upon the advantage after a scoreless third, adding a pair of runs in each inning down the stretch, capped off by a deep shot to left center by pinch hitter Lauryn Tachino that brought home the tenth and eleventh runs of the game, invoking the mercy rule to end the contest.

Tachino hit safely in both her plate appearances, with a triple, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs for good measure.

Breezlyn-Morita and Marissa Allen each singled to account for the two hits surrendered by Nishizawa.

Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].