TURLOCK, Calif. – The Chaminade University softball team dropped their third game of the Tournament of Champions Presented by the City of Turlock, 3-2, to Saint Martin's in a weather-delayed game Saturday at the Pedretti Sports Complex.
The Silverswords were scheduled to face Concordia Portland later in the day but a brief downpour put all four fields at the complex underwater, forcing the cancelation of several games including the 'Swords game against CUP. Several game matchups scheduled for Saturday afternoon and evening were also altered.
Chaminade fell to 9-19 while Saint Martin's improved to 11-12.
Jackie Najera (Santa Ana, Calif./Segerstrom) led off the game with a booming double off the left-center field fence and later scored on a wild pitch.
The Saints took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the second, scoring on an error on a force play at third base then grabbed the lead on a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth, the 'Swords got three straight two-out singles, the final being
Devan Dickson's (Avondale, Ariz./Westview) RBI hit to tie it at 2.
In the bottom of the sixth with a runner at second and two outs the game was put into a delay when rain and lightning arrived, causing a 2-hour, 19-minute rain delay.
When play resumed after moving from Field 3 to Field 2, Dickson got the final out in the inning. Chaminade went quietly in the top of the seventh then the Saints loaded the bases with no out. After a force-play at home, pinch-hitter Julia Lucas blooped the walk-off single into short center field.
The Silverswords managed seven hits with Najera extending her hitting streak to 11 games. Dickson took the loss with just the game-winner being earned.
Lauren Malley pitched the final 2 1/3 inning to get the win.
The Silverswords conclude the Tournament of Champions Sunday against Cal State San Marcos and Cal State San Bernardino.
