HONOLULU – While most people were enthralled with Super Bowl LI, the Chaminade University softball team was busy at work, making their 2017 debut, splitting a doubleheader on Opening Day against Western Washington at McKinley High School Field on Sunday.
The Silverswords were one-hit in the 2-0 first game loss but took the nightcap, 7-4, with the help of a pair of three-run innings.
Chaminade is 1-1 on the season while the Vikings are 3-1.
Game 1
Chaminade's
Luana Moreno and Western Washington's Anna Kasner were locked in a pitchers' duel throughout the contest. Moreno retired the first nine Vikings while Kasner allowed only a walk and hit batter through three.
In the fourth, WWU got three straight singles although lead-off hitter Mackenzie Palmer was erased at third when Moreno alertly covered third base on a bunt single. The Vikings managed to put runners at second and third but Moreno got out of the jam on a weak comebacker.
The Vikings got on the scoring ledger in the top of the seventh on Paityn Cyr's sacrifice fly, although right fielder
Alisen Endsley made a diving catch to prevent Cyr from reaching base. WWU added a second run later in the inning.
Kasner (1-0) then struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh to earn the victory. The freshman struck out 13 'Swords in the game.
Rainelle Matsuoka had Chaminade's only hit, a single in the fourth. Moreno took the loss.
Game 2
The 'Swords wasted no time to start the second contest. Matsuoka's two-out single followed by consecutive walks to
Nicole Erichsen and
Kiana Ulufale loaded the bases.
Kayla Henmi then hit a hard chopper to Cylie Richards who bobbled the grounder, allowing Matsuoka to cross the plate.
After WWU tied it at 1 in the second, Matsuoka came through in the third, leading the frame off with a booming double off the centerfield fence. After Erichsen drew her second walk, Ulufale then hit a scalding liner that split the defenders into right-center for her first career triple, allowing both runners to score. Henmi then hit a blooper in left-center that brought home Ulufale while Henmi hustled to second for a double, giving Chaminade a 4-1 lead.
But the Vikings got all three runs back in the next half-inning to tie it at 4. Then in the bottom of the frame,
Jenn Betian,
Coco Stewart and Matsuoka led off with singles, loading the bases with no outs. After a pitching change, Erichsen was plunked to drive in the go-ahead run. Ulufale kept the wheels going, hitting a flare that dropped just fair down the right field line to bring in Stewart. Henmi then drew the inning's second bases-loaded walk to put Chaminade up, 7-4. Kasner was summoned from the bullpen and promptly struck out the side.
Moreno then relieved starter
Kayla Higuchi in the top of the fifth and held the Vikings at bay, retiring nine of the 10 batters she faced including a 1-2-3 seventh.
Higuchi went four innings and earned her first career win while Moreno went the final three for her first career save. Moreno tossed 10 total innings and allowed only one earned run. Matsuoka was 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs while Ulufale went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. Henmi, who had three RBI all last season, delivered two.
WWU's Makinlee Sellevold, who baffled the Silverswords two years ago with a one-hit shutout, was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits. Meanwhile Kasner struck out six in relief, giving her 19 Ks in her 10 innings of work.
The Silverswords return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 14 when they host Simon Fraser at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. with live audio coverage on GoSwords.com.
