Box Score TURLOCK, CA –Chaminade defeated the Wolves of Western Oregon, gaining an early lead and using a big sixth inning to score just enough runs to hold off their GNAC opponent. CUH's third game of day one of The Tournament of Champions again proved to be a tight one. In three games today, Chaminade played a two-run contest and two one-run matchups.
The Swords took an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and led 3-1 after three innings. Chaminade extended their lead with a three-run sixth inning, courtesy of a bases-clearing double by senior outfielder
Dawn Dela Cruz (Honolulu, HI/Moanalua). Chaminade took the 6-1 lead into the bottom of the inning. Western Oregon responded with four runs to trail 6-5 going into the seventh. After Chaminade failed to score, WOU put two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh before freshman pitcher
Brett Aspel (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union) struck out Kendra George to end the contest.
Junior shortstop
Rayna Strom-Okimoto (Aiea,HI/Aiea) continued her hot hitting, going 3-3 against the Wolves. Freshman
Elia Lizarraga (Torrance, CA/Narbonne) and
Shannan Hokama (Torrance, CA/South) each had two hits in the win.
Aspel earned the win for Chaminade giving up six hits and one run in four innings.
Coach Yamaguchi commented on the game: “This one was worth the price of admission. Our defense has been strong for the past few games and our bats were there when we needed them tonight. Rayna (Strom-Okimoto) had a special game, some big hits. Shannan (Hokama) is hitting well.
Dawn Dela Cruz drove in three insurance runs, and we needed them.”
Chaminade is back in action against Dixie State in a non-conference matchup tomorrow (March 31
st) in Turlock, CA. First pitch is set for 1:30 PM PT.
The Swords move to 10-17 with the win, while Western Oregon moves to 5-17.
