Box Score 1 HONOLULU – The Chaminade University softball team returned home for the first time since March 20 but dropped a rain-shortened pitcher's duel, 1-0, Friday to BYU-Hawai'i. Game 2 was also rained out.
Playing at Sand Island Park for the first time since 2015, the Silverswords got a solid pitching performance from freshman hurler
Kali Kitsinis as she limited the Seasiders to five hits.
The first three BYUH batters reached base in the first inning including Lizabelle Talataina's RBI single to centerfield. But Kitsinis minimized the damage by getting two force outs and a ground out to end the inning.
The 'Swords averted another run on a brilliant defensive play in the third when
Ashlyn Yagin fired a dart to
Kaitlin Kim, who made her first career start at catcher. Kim then tagged out Sarah Captain who tried to score from second on Makaela Williamson's base hit.
Chaminade's best threat came when Yagin walked to lead off the fourth. Two batters later,
Coco Stewart singled to left, breaking up the no-hitter by Taiana Williamson, and advancing Yagin to second.
Kayla Henmi then hit a sinking fly ball but BYUH centerfielder Roxane Dennis made a knee-high catch on a dead sprint to end the threat.
The Silverswords also had several hard-hit balls but liners by
Jenn Betian and
Rainelle Matsuoka were hit right at third base as well as
Luana Moreno's deep fly ball to the left-center gap that was tracked down by Dennis.
In the top of the seventh, BYUH tacked on two runs for a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the seventh,
Nicole Erichsen was plunked to lead off the inning and got to second on a wild pitch. Then with one out in the frame, the heavens opened up which flooded the field, prompting the game to be called. Due to scoring rules, the game was reverted back to the last completed inning, resulting in the 1-0 BYUH win in six innings.
Kitsinis had one of her best pitching performances of the year, tossing six innings for the first time since April 1 as she allowed just the single run, dropping her ERA to 5.66.
Taiana Williamson got the win for the Seasiders and improved to 5-11 on the season.
The loss dropped Chaminade to 7-36 on the year and 4-23 in the Pacific West Conference. BYUH improved to 12-25 and 9-16.
A makeup date for the second game of the doubleheader has not been announced. The Silverswords' next scheduled contest is set for Friday, May 5 when they face Hawai'i Hilo at their regular home field at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park. It will be the final home games for seniors Betian, Erichsen,
Kylie Nishino, Stewart and redshirt junior
Luana Moreno.
First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. with live streaming audio coverage on GoSwords.com.
