WAIPIO, O'ahu, Hawai'i – It was just one of those nights for Chaminade University pitching.
Pacific University tagged Silverswords hurlers for 27 runs, 31 base hits and 13 stolen bases as the Boxers swept the 'Swords, 12-5 and 15-4, in a non-conference doubleheader at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park on Thursday.
The losses extended the team's losing streak to five, dropping them to 1-7 on the season. Pacific is 2-0 in its season debut.
Chaminade first baseman
Aja Keyes went 3-for-7 with four runs and an RBI on the night, including a seventh-inning solo homer in Game 1, her first dinger of the season.
Nicole Erichsen had three RBI for the Silverswords.
Game 1The Boxers wasted little time, scoring in each of the first four innings, including a four-spot in the second for a 7-0 lead. Meanwhile, Chaminade was able to get runners in scoring position in the first, second and fourth innings, but were unable to come up with the big hit to plate runs.
The 'Swords were finally able to muster some offense in the fifth.
Shannan Hokama was plunked to lead off the inning then got to third when shortstop Quirena Natividad made a wild throw into right-center on Keyes' fielder's choice.
Amber Manuel then ripped a double into the left-center gap to score Hokama and move Keyes to third, Manuel's first extra-base hit of the season.
Jenn Betian then bounced a single through the left side to plate Keyes to make it 7-2 with still no out. However, the 'Swords couldn't keep the hit parade going as the next three batters were out.
However, the Boxers weren't done, plating five more in the top of the seventh for a 12-2 cushion. But neither was Chaminade in its half of the frame when Keyes led off with her bomb to left. Manuel then singled to right, prompting a pitching change.
Coco Stewart kept things going with a one-out single to left, moving Manuel to second. One out later,
Theresa Capllonch's fly to shallow left field was dropped by replacement shortstop Ashley Mitchell, allowing Manuel to round third to score. Coming in as a pinch-hitter, Erichsen lined a pitch to center, bringing home Stewart for the 'Swords' third run of the inning, but that would be all for Chaminade as the game ended on a ground-out to short.
Marissa Reichard picked up the win while pitching five innings, allowing no runs.
Brett Aspel (1-3) was charged with the loss.
Keyes, Manuel and Capllonch each had two hits as Chaminade had 11 base hits in Game 1, tying its season-high, but also stranded 11.
Natividad and catcher Kylee Oshiro had three hits each in the game for Pacific with Natividad driving in four. The Boxers also stole seven bases in the game, four coming from lead-off batter Rachel Roberts.
Game 2Pacific began with a flurry, scoring four times in the top of the first. This time, the Silverswords had a response in their half of the first.
Phelps, playing at designated player for the first time this season, led off with a walk as did No. 3 batter, Keyes. Then with two outs, Betian hit a towering fly ball to left, but Nalani Antonio dropped the ball with her back against the collapsible fence, allowing Phelps and Keyes to cross the plate to bring Chaminade back to within 4-2.
The Boxers got a run back in the third, but in the home half of the frame, Keyes had a one-out single to center then Betian had an infield single to move Keyes to second. Erichsen, making her first career start at second base, delivered again, lining the first pitch she saw into the left field corner, scoring both Betian and Keyes to make it 5-4.
But Chaminade's bats would fall silent the rest of the game while Pacific tacked on 10 more runs in the final three innings.
Keyes, Betian, Erichsen and Stewart each had a hit for Chaminade while Hokama walked twice. Erichsen had the only two RBIs for the team.
Oshiro, one of 10 Hawai'i players on the Pacific roster, had three RBI in Game 2 while Megan Winans had three hits.
Jessica Hotaling pitched five innings to earn the win.
Luana Moreno was tagged with the loss to drop to 0-3.
The Silverswords will get eight days off as they open Pacific West Conference play on Friday, Feb. 20 against BYU-Hawai'i at CORP Field. First pitch of the double-dip gets underway at 4:30 p.m. with live streaming audio coverage on GoSwords.com.
