Softball Wraps Exhibition Season

HONOLULU – The Chaminade University softball team wrapped up their fall exhibition season by dropping both games in the final day of the Kama'aina Tournament, 4-3 to Hawai'i-Hilo and 9-0 to host Hawai'i-Manoa Saturday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
 
Freshman third baseman Rainelle Matsuoka had three combined hits on the day while Amber Manuel made her pitching debut and threw out three hits in the first game against UH-Hilo.
 
 
Game 1 vs. UH-Hilo
The 'Swords struck in the top of the first when Manuel, after fouling off several pitches, hit a liner into the right-centerfield gap to bring home two runs to give the Silverswords a 2-0 lead.
 
The Vulcans battled back in their half of the frame, tying the game without the benefit of a hit on a sacrifice fly and a steal of home.
 
UH-Hilo took a 3-2 lead on Brandi Wilson's single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth.
 
The 'Swords came back in the fifth on Jenn Betian's RBI double scoring Coco Stewart. But the Vulcans' took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth on Victoria Garcia's sacrifice fly to right.
 
In the top of the seventh, Matsuoka and Betian had back-to-back one-out singles, then Manuel loaded the bases with a sharp hit to left as the runners held, loading the bases. But the 'Swords couldn't push across the tying run as the Vulcans got the final out to secure the win.
 
Manuel, making her pitching debut, started and tossed two hitless innings with a strikeout. Chelsea Camello went the final four innings in taking the loss, allowing five hits with a pair of strikeouts.
 
Manuel also went 3-for-4 at the plate while Matsuoka, Betian and Kayla Henmi had two hits each in Chaminade's 10-hit game.
 
UH-Hilo's Billie Derleth went six innings to pick up the win.
 
The game was delayed twice because of rain, totaling 29 minutes.
 
 
Game 2 vs. UH-Manoa
For the second straight day, the 'Swords were quiet against Rainbow Wahine pitching. Chaminade was held to one hit – a single in the third by Matsuoka – although they were able to put the ball in play which resulted in three UH errors.
 
Chaminade's biggest threat came in the top of the third. Down 3-0, the 'Swords loaded the bases with one out on a Brianna Georgia walk, Matsuoka's hit to left, followed by Betian being plunked. But UH pitcher Kanani Aina Cabrales got a strikeout and pop-fly to second to end the threat.
 
The Silverswords also managed to put runners in scoring position in the second, fourth and sixth innings.

Meanwhile the 'Swords defense made several gems. In the fifth, Georgia made a running grab at the fence in right center to end the frame and prevent two runs from scoring. Then in the sixth and a runner at second, UH's Heather Cameron singled to centerfield but Sierra Mendiola made a perfect throw to catcher Kiana Ulufale to nab Rachael Turner at home to end the inning.
 
Luana Moreno went the distance in the circle for the 'Swords, scattering 13 hits with seven of the runs being earned.
 
Aina Cabrales got the win for the Rainbow Wahine, tossing five innings. Four 'Bows had two hits while Rachael Turner drove in three.
 
The Silverswords, who have been the victims of multiple long balls to UH in past tournaments, held the powerful Hawai'i bats to only one homer in the 12 innings played against them in this year's Kama'aina Tournament.