Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 WAIPIO, Hawai'i – Turns out the third time was the charm. The Chaminade University softball team endured rainouts that twice wiped out their season opener. But the weather held up on their third date as the Silverswords rung in the 2014 season with a sweep of BYU-Hawai'i in what was also their Pacific West Conference opener at Corp Field.
The Silverswords (2-0 overall and PacWest) took the first game, 3-1, taking advantage of four Seasider errors. Then they got a masterful pitching performance from
Kaitlyn Watanabe in Game 2, as the 'Swords scored the winning run on a throwing error in the eighth inning, 1-0.
In Game 1, Chaminade broke open a scoreless contest in the bottom of the third when lead-off hitter
Kaleen Terayama laid down a bunt in front of home plate, but the throw from the catcher sailed past the first baseman and right fielder, allowing her to scamper all the way to third. Two batters later,
Elia Lizarraga hit a fly ball to left, but it was dropped, allowing Terayama to come home for the game's first run.
Shannan Hokama singled to lead off the fifth. After a Lizarraga sacrifice bunt and a groundout,
Kristiann Endow's debut at-bat as a 'Sword resulted in the shortstop booting a grounder, allowing Hokama to round third and score the second Chaminade run.
After BYUH's Kaylynn Latu homered in the top of the sixth to cut their deficit to 2-1,
Ashley Phelps reached on a fielder's choice in the bottom half of the frame.
Samantha Ford then singled to left, but the ball got past the left fielder, allowing both Phelps and Ford to advance another base. Pinch hitter
Theresa Capllonch then hit a grounder to second, allowing Phelps to score the third CUH run of the game.
The 'Swords then closed the door in the seventh when reliever
Marisella Rodriguez retired the side in order, preserving the win for the home team.
Brett Aspel pitched 5.1 innings to pick up the win. The junior allowed one earned one on four hits, four strikeouts and two walks. Ford had two base hits in the game for Chaminade. Talor Alvarez (0-2) was charged with the loss.
There was even more drama in Game 2 as the game went scoreless into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth,
Ciana Russ led off with a single to left. After Phelps' sac bunt moved her to second, Ford struck out swinging, but the ball went past the catcher allowing Ford to reach on a wild pitch while Russ moved to third. Capllonch, who again came up in a pinch hitting role, then hit a one-out fly ball to center. Russ tagged up then stopped and retreated back to the bag. However, the throw from center to home one-hopped the catcher and bounced into foul territory. Russ then made a dead-sprint to home, beating the throw, to score the game-winner.
(Click
here for the highlight of the game-winning run)
Watanabe (1-0), who started the Game 2, was exceptional in picking up the complete game shutout, allowing only three hits on two walks with a pair of strikeouts. She didn't allow a hit after the fifth inning and retired 11 of the last 12 batters she faced.
The Seasiders' starter, Gabby Hawkins, was also outstanding in the circle despite being tagged with the loss, as she allowed only three hits as well with no earned runs and nine Ks.
Chaminde returns to the field on Tuesday when they face the University of Regina from Canada in an exhibition doubleheader at Corp Field. First pitch of Game 1 is slated to start at 4:30 p.m.
