HILO, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University softball team had a chance to play spoiler Saturday at UH Hilo Softball Field. But Hawai'i-Hilo had other ideas as it kept its hopes alive of a berth in the NCAA Regionals with a sweep of the Silverswords.
The Vulcans, ranked eighth in the latest NCAA Division II Regional Rankings, won a pitchers' duel in the first game, 3-1, then opened up the bats in the second in an 11-1, five inning win.
Shortstop
Jenn Betian and catcher
Ashley Phelps had three hits while each drove in a run during the doubleheader for Chaminade, which fell to 10-36 overall and 9-21 in the Pacific West Conference. Phelps also threw out a potential base-stealer, her 11
th of the season, which leads the conference. The 'Swords managed to rap out 13 hits in the twin bill, but none for extra bases.
UH-Hilo (30-16, 19-10) got five RBIs each from Melanie Morelos and Shelby Vickers in the doubleheader.
Game 1The Vulcans grabbed a 2-0 lead in the home half of the first on Morelos' two-run single. The 'Swords mounted a mini-threat in the second when Betian and
Coco Stewart had back-to-back two-out singles but were left stranded on base.
Chaminade made it 2-1 in the fourth when Betian drove in
Aja Keyes with a two-out single to center.
'Swords starter
Brett Aspel managed to endure the shaky first inning to retire nine of the next 10 batters she faced. But in the bottom of the fourth, a two-out walk then a single put runners at first and second. An error then allowed the Vulcans to tack on a run, making it 3-1.
Aspel settled down again and also got a little help from her teammates as UH-Hilo opened the fifth with consecutive singles, but Betian and second baseman
Kristiann Endow executed a 6-4 double play on Morelos' line drive to help extinguish the threat.
The Silverswords managed to threaten in the top of the seventh as Betian and
Theresa Capllonch opened the frame with consecutive hits. But an out later with runners at the corners, Phelps grounded out to shortstop while Betian broke for home. Vulcans first baseman Emily Greene then fired a strike to catcher Danielle Pulido to complete the unconventional 6-3-2 double play which ended the game.
Aspel was the hard-luck loser, falling to 5-14. The senior scattered seven hits and walked two. Two of the three runs she allowed were earned. Danielle Wilson got the complete game win for UH-Hilo.
Betian was 3-for-3 with her RBI being her 14
th of the year while Stewart was 2-for-3 at the plate for Chaminade. Emily Huff and Greene each had two hits for the Vulcans.
Game 2As in the first game, UH-Hilo struck with a three-run first inning, capped by Morelos' two-run homer.
The Silverswords managed to get a run back in the second as Betian and Capllonch got back-to-back one-out singles. Phelps then came through with a two-out RBI opposite field hit to score Betian, cutting their deficit to 3-1.
But the Vulcans tacked on two more in their half of the second then the big blow came in the third as UH-Hilo put up six runs to increase their lead to 11-1. The inning's exclamation point was Vickers' grand slam, the fourth allowed by Chaminade this season. UHH was poised to add more, but Phelps ended the inning by throwing out Morelos at second trying to advance a base on her RBI single.
The 'Swords did have chances to add runs throughout the game, but left three runners stranded in scoring position.
Chaminade starter
Kaitlyn Watanabe lasted only 1 1/3 inning, allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits as her record fell to 1-11.
Luana Moreno, who relieved Watanabe, fared no better, surrendering five runs on six hits in only 2/3 innings. Aspel managed to put out the fire, tossing two innings, allowing one run, which was unearned.
Wilson, who ended up starting Game 2 as well, picked up her second win of the day, tossing a five-hitter to improve to 13-8.
Phelps was 2-of-3 at the plate for Chaminade, raising her team-leading batting average to .359 while her RBI gave her 13 on the year.
All five of Vickers' RBIs came in Game 2 while Morelos drove in three for the Vulcans.
The Silverswords will take next week off, then return to the field for their final doubleheader of the season when they visit Hawai'i Pacific in Kaneohe on Saturday, May 2.
