WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – Like the cool weather that has hit O'ahu in recent days, the bats of the Chaminade University softball team have also gone cold.
In Thursday's doubleheader at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park, the Silverswords could only muster six hits in a 3-0 Game 1 loss to Holy Names. They were then no-hit by Kristina Carbajal in a 2-0 loss in the nightcap.
Amber Manuel accounted for three hits in the first game for the 'Swords, who fell to 7-11 and 3-5 in the Pacific West Conference. Holy Names improved to 7-17 and 3-9.
The matchup between the Silveswords and Hawks has also defied the percentages. The visiting team has won 11 of the 12 meetings since the series began in 2012. Chaminade owns the only win by the home team, coming on March 5, 2014, when the Hawks won three of the four games at CORP Field. Last season, the 'Swords took all four games in Oakland.
Game 1Chaminade starter
Chelsea Camello managed to work out of jams, leaving Hawks runners stranded at third base in the second and third innings. But Holy Names finally broke through in the fifth as Nicolette Soares drove in two runs on a single. The runs were set up by an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt by Corena Gregorio.
The 'Swords loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning but could not capitalize on the opportunity. Then in the sixth with the bases loaded with one out again,
Kayla Henmi scalded a pitch towards toward right but pinch runner
Tiana Pantil was hit by the ball before it could get to the outfield. Pantil was called out, costing Chaminade a run. A strikeout on the next at-bat ended the threat.
The Hawks added an insurance run in the seventh when Sharona Mataele allowed herself to get caught in a rundown on her stolen base try, allowing Geena Garabetian, who was at third, to score their third run of the game.
Camello went 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits while walking four. The two runs she allowed were both unearned as she fell to 3-5 on the year. Manuel went 3-for-3 at the plate.
Vanessa Pulido went the distance in the six-hitter with six strikeouts.
Game 2Luana Moreno, who tossed the final 2 2/3 innings in the first game, got the starting nod in the second and went toe-to-toe with Carbajal through three scoreless innings.
HNU broke the scoreless game in the fourth inning as an errant throw on a pick-off attempt with one out moved Soares to second. A fly out to deep right allowed Soares to move to third then she ultimately scored on the next at-bat when Megan Porche's infield blooper fell just inches shy of first baseman
Nicole Erichsen's outstretched glove for an RBI infield single.
The Hawks added their second run on Gregorio's safety squeeze in the seventh.
Meanwhile, Carbajal (4-7) had the 'Swords baffled as she struck out eight and allowed only one runner to reach second.
Moreno pitched well enough to earn a win, tossing a complete-game six-hitter. Only one of the runs was earned while striking out four, dropping her record to 4-5.
The Silverswords return to CORP Field Saturday for a four-game set against Academy of Art. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. with live streaming audio coverage on GoSwords.com.
