TURLOCK, Calif. –The Chaminade University softball team concluded the Tournament of Champions Presented by the Turlock Convention and Visitors Bureau with a 13-3, six inning loss to Pacific West Conference foe Academy of Art Sunday in the Consolation semifinal at the Turlock Sports Complex.
Silverswords sophomore second baseman
Nicole Erichsen was 3-for-3 in the contest, falling a home run shy of the cycle.
The Urban Knights banged out 15 hits in the contest, plating five runs in the top of the first and five more in the fifth, the big blow being Hailey McDonald's grand slam.
After falling behind 5-0, Chaminade (7-29) had ample opportunities to chip away at the lead. The 'Swords loaded the bases with one out in the first and second innings but in both instances, back-to-back grounders ended the frames.
A two-out error on
Shannan Hokama's at-bat opened the door for a Chaminade rally in the third.
Jenn Betian followed the error with a line-drive base hit up the middle. Erichsen then hit a towering fly ball that landed just inside the right field line which rolled all the way to the fence, allowing Hokama and Betian to scamper home as Erichsen got to third on a stand-up triple.
Theresa Capllonch then drove Erichsen in with a single to left, cutting the Silverswords' deficit to 5-3.
Meanwhile, 'Swords starter
Brett Aspel, who was hit hard in the first, settled down, retiring 11 of the next 13 batters she faced, including the first two batters in the fifth. But the Urban Knights got three consecutive singles then walked in a run with the bases loaded. McDonald then ended Aspel's day with a grand slam homer to right, relieved by
Kaitlyn Watanabe.
ART U added three more runs in the sixth to put the run-rule in effect, but the Silverswords couldn't get the required three runs to extend the game.
Aspel took the loss to fall to 3-10. Kamyle Glover, who started the game at second base, got the win in relief by pitching the final 5 2/3 innings to pick up her first win (1-3).
Erichsen was the only 'Sword with a multiple hits. In addition to Capllonch's single, Betian, Phelps and
Aja Keyes each had base hits. Betian also reached base twice more with a hit by pitch and a walk. Six Urban Knights had two hits while four had multiple RBIs.
The Silverswords' road trip concludes Tuesday as they return to PacWest play against Dominican.
