Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 WAIPIO, HI- The Chaminade softball team split a Pac West doubleheader against Hawai`i Pacific University at Corp Field on Thursday evening. The Silverswords were routed in the opening game, 14-1 in five innings, but rallied from three runs down in the second game, winning 9-5.
CUH is now 23-17 on the season and 15-9 in the conference. HPU is 22-15 and 12-10.
The Sea Warriors struck early and often in the top of the first of Game 1, sending 11 batters to the plate, off four base hits. HPU was also aided by two bases loaded walks, as the Sea Warriors led, 5-0.
Things wouldn't get better for the Swords in the top of the second, as home runs by Alysia Maddison and Celine Garces would chase
Brett Aspel (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union) from the circle, as HPU led 9-0.
The Swords managed to load the bases in the bottom of the second, but lined into a double play to end the inning.
CUH scored its lone run in the third as reigning Hawai'i Tourism Authority Pac West Player of the Week,
Rayna Strom-Okimoto (Aiea, HI/Aiea) scored on a throwing error.
Aspel took the loss, falling to 12-10. Melissa Kirby earned the win to even her record at 7-7. Strom-Okimoto went 2-for-3 at the dish.
In the second game, HPU tacked on a single run in the first, then added two runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead.
The Swords, as they have done during the last month of the season, responded in their half of the third when
Ashley Phelps (Torrance, CA/South) tripled to right, then came home on an error for CUH's first run of the game. Three batters later,
Aja Keyes (Kaneohe, HI/Lutheran) singled to right, bringing home Strom-Okimoto.
Tumamaopavaiai Enos (Pahoa, HI/Pahoa) tied the game, with a double to the right centerfield gap, tying the game at 3. After a pitching change,
Elia Lizarraga (Torrance, CA/Narbonne) would bring the go-ahead run with a perfectly placed infield hit between the pitcher and catcher, as CUH grabbed a 4-3 lead after three innings.
Chaminade blew open the game in the fifth.
Samantha Ford (Honolulu, HI/Word of Life) and
Ashley Phelps (Torrance, CA/South) opened with back-to-back singles. Two batters later,
Kori Berinobis (Kaneohe, HI/Castle) laced an RBI single to center. Strom-Okimoto would then bring Phelps home on an RBI fielder's choice. Two batters later, Enos provided the big blow with a towering 3-run homer to left, her fourth of the year, making it 9-3.
HPU got two runs back in the sixth on a 2-out, 2-run blast by pinch-hitter Lauren Beard, cutting the CUH lead to 9-5.
Kaitlyn Watanabe (Kula, HI/Baldwin) got in trouble in the seventh, walking the first two batters. Aspel would be summoned from the bullpen and retired three of the four batters she faced to end the game.
Watanabe, who was in the circle last season when she picked up a win to end a 59-game losing streak to the Sea Warriors, got the Game 2 win, improving to 11-6. Aspel recorded her first save of the season.
Enos finished the game a triple away from the cycle, going 3-for-4 and 4 RBI. Ford was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish with a run scored. Berinobis and Phelps each had two hits, with Phelps driving in two.
The Swords travel to face league-leading Hawai'i-Hilo on Sunday in a Pac West doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
