WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – It wasn't quite how the Chaminade University softball team wanted to end their 2016 home slate.
Crosstown rival Hawai'i Pacific University, which averaged 6.8 hits per game coming into the doubleheader, bashed Silversword pitching for 25 hits, as the 'Swords dropped both games of Sunday's Senior Day celebration in run-rule fashion, 10-2 in six innings, and 14-2 in five, at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park.
Game 1
It took only two big innings by the Sharks (16-30 overall, 12-16 Pacific West Conference) to finish off the 'Swords, scoring five runs in the third and sixth. Three of HPU's runs in the third were unearned off Chaminade starter
Chelsea Camello.
Marisella Rodriguez spelled Camello in the fourth and tossed two scoreless frames. But after getting the first out in the sixth, five Sharks reached on a pair of walks and a pair of two-run hits from Noelani Boyer and Nicole Viena before Rodriguez was replaced by
Luana Moreno.
The 'Swords scored one run in the third after a lead-off one-bagger by
Sierra Mendiola and
Nicole Erichsen's bunt single. After a wild pitch,
Jenn Betian lifted a sacrifice fly to left to plate Mendiola.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Rainelle Matsuoka reached on an error, and two batters later, came home on
Keani Passi's RBI single to center. The 'Swords had a chance to extend the game to the seventh inning but left a runner stranded at third.
Boyer went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs for HPU. She also walked four times while Viena drove in three. Kristen Caskey got the complete-game win for the Sharks, improving to 8-9.
Amber Manuel went 3-for-3 at the plate for Chaminade. Camello was charged with the loss, dropping to 4-15. The loss also snapped Matsuoka's 10-game hitting streak and 17-game streak of reaching base.
Game 2
The Sharks surged to open the game. By the time the 'Swords finally got into the dugout for the bottom of the first, the Sharks' lineup had batted around twice. Moreno, who started the game, was battered for seven runs as the first seven Sharks reached base. She did not record an out and was pulled for
Kayla Higuchi. But the freshman fared no better as eight of the nine batters she faced reached as HPU's lead swelled to 12-0. Manuel was moved from designated player to the circle and finally got the elusive final out.
Manuel managed to quiet the HPU bats, tossing two scoreless frames before the Sharks managed single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Then in the bottom of the fifth, Passi broke up Paige Crawford's no-hit bid with a looper which dropped into left field. After a wild pitch,
Kiana Ulufale bounced a single to left with Passi stopping at third. Mendiola then picked up an RBI against her former school with a groundout to third. After
Shannon Tagle walked, Betian was plunked for the 22
nd time this season, maintaining her 0.50 hit-by-pitch average which ranks among the nation's top four in the category.
Ashlyn Yagin brought home the Silverswords' final run with her infield single which plated Ulufale.
Six Sharks had multi-hit games with Crawford helping her own cause by driving in four. She also picked up the win to improve to 6-11. Moreno fell to 7-15 with the loss.
Following the game, Camello, Mendiola, Manuel, Passi and Rodriguez were each honored in senior ceremonies.
The Silverswords (11-33, 6-22 PacWest) will face Hawai'i-Hilo on the Big Island Friday.
