WALPAHU, Hawaii – Aaron Shoup and Ryan Dorney, along with a near perfect performance by the bullpen, limited Hawaii Pacific to three runs over both games; however, it was all the Sharks needed as they walked away with 2-1 and 1-0 victories over the Saints on Saturday.
 
The Saints' (1-7) starters combined for 11 innings pitched, allowing only two runs while striking out 10, and the bullpen put together 3.2 innings of work, with only one run allowed. Saint Martin's bats failed to come up with the timely hits, collecting one run on nine hits over the doubleheader, falling to Hawaii Pacific (5-2) to conclude their 8-game road trip in Hawaii.  
 
Aaron Shoup pitched a six inning gem against Hawaii Pacific, going seven innings, allowing two runs, only one earned, while giving up seven hits and one strikeout. Matthew Dunaway pitched a clean seventh inning, followed by Robbie Shineman who threw a shutout eighth.
 
Despite the strong pitching performances, the two runs Hawaii Pacific early in the game proved to be the deciding factor. The Sharks scored their first run on a double-play ball with the bases loaded in the second inning. Their second run came in the next inning on a RBI single up the middle.
 
However, the Saints had opportunities to put runs on the board and possibly take the lead. Starting in the fifth inning, Ryan Colvin singled up the middle and then stole second. A single by Cameron Mosier and a walk issued to Kahi Hirano loaded the bases with two outs. Ryne Oshiro was unable to drive in a run and grounded out to first base.
 
The Saints had a runner thrown out at the plate to end the sixth inning before loading the bases once again in the ninth. With nobody out, a lead-off double by Colton Peha, followed by back-to-back walks, brought up Hunter Holmason with an opportunity to put SMU on the board. The Sharks struck out Holmason, but then walked Mosier, cutting the score to 2-1. However, Hawaii Pacific struck out the next two batters and closed out the victory.
 
In the second game, the Saints' bat remained cold, failing to score in seven innings. The Saints built up a threat all with two outs in the fifth inning. Oshiro singled up the middle and later stole second. Steven Sordahl walked and Brian Nakagawa was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Austin Feist. Feist was unable to convert, fouling out to the first baseman.
 
Meanwhile, Hawaii Pacific's bat struggled against the Saints' righty in Ryan Dorney. Dorney held the Sharks scoreless through the first four innings, even working out of a bases loaded situation in the fourth inning. In the sixth inning, Hawaii Pacific put runners on second and third with one out; however, Clark Streby worked out of the inning with a groundout and fly out.
 
In the seventh inning, the Saints recorded two quick outs on a fly out and strikeout. Looking like the game would be sent to extra innings, the Sharks mounted a two-out rally with a double to right center. The runner advanced to third on a passed ball and came home to score when the batter reached on a dropped third strike that got pass the catcher, resulting in a walk-off strikeout.
 
The Saints return home to start conference action in March. Their next game is scheduled for March 9-10 with two doubleheaders against Western Oregon. Both games are scheduled to start at noon and live stats and video will be available of the games on smusaints.