WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University softball team dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader to Missouri Western State Thursday at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park.
The Griffons (13-3), an NCAA Central Regional finalist last season and ranked just outside the current NFCA Top 25 Poll, defeated the Silverswords, 9-2 in the first game and 9-3 in the nightcap.
Rainelle Matsuoka and
Nicole Erichsen were both 3-of-6 at the plate during twin bill for Chaminade (2-6), with Erichsen homering in Game 2.
Game 1
After MWSU plated a first-inning run, the 'Swords manufactured one of their own in the bottom-half of the inning with Matsuoka driving in
Jenn Betian to knot the score at 1.
The next inning, Erichsen led off with single to center.
Kayla Higuchi then put down a perfect sacrifice bunt and, with third base being unoccupied, Erichsen wisely rounded second to take the extra base.
Maureen Hutchinson then brought her home on a deep fly ball to center, to put the 'Swords ahead, 2-1.
However, the lead didn't last long as Sydney Washington blasted a three-run homer to put the Griffons up for good, 4-2.
Missouri Western then tacked on more runs in the fourth and sixth innings while silencing Chaminade's bats the rest of the way.
Barbara Billingsley went the distance for MWSU, striking out 10 on a three-hitter to improve to 7-1. Washington and Katie Klosterman each drove in three while Shelbie Atwell went 3-for-3.
Luana Moreno was the hard-luck loser, falling to 0-4. Despite allowing 10 hits, all nine Griffon runs were unearned, which dropped her ERA to 3.58.
Game 2
Washington continued her torrid hitting, hitting a two-run homer in the opening inning. MWSU added another run in the second but the 'Swords' defense prevented another in the inning, throwing out a runner at the plate on a delayed steal attempt.
Chaminade got on the board in the second when Erichsen hammered a big fly to left center for her first home run of the season, the senior's first round-tripper since April 4, 2015.
Higuchi, who started Game 2, then retired six straight and got some help as
Kiana Ulufale, who got her second career start at third base, ended the third inning with a brilliant diving stop to rob Washington of a base hit.
MWSU added three more runs in the fifth for a 7-1 advantage but the 'Swords loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth and capitalized on Ulufale's bases-loaded RBI single which brought home
Racquel Misioka to cut the deficit to 7-2.
After the Griffons plated two more in the top of the seventh, the Silverswords got a lead-off double into the right field corner from Matsuoka who later scored on Betian's ground-out for the game's final run.
Kenzie Hilzer improved to 6-2 on the season while Washington had four RBI in the contest, bringing her total RBI count on the evening to seven.
Higuchi went 4 2/3 innings for Chaminade, allowing six runs on five hits while falling to 2-2 on the year.
Kali Kitsinis went the final 2 2/3, allowing one earned run. Matsuoka, Erichsen and
Ashlyn Yagin each had two hits in the 'Swords' seven-hit attack.
The Silverswords open Pacific West Conference action Sunday against Hawai'i Pacific University at CORP Field with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m. with live audio coverage on GoSwords.com. As a part of the CUH versus HPU weekend theme, Chaminade fans are encouraged to wear white for the game.
