HONOLULU – Could 2019 be the breakout year for the Chaminade University softball team?
With five seniors and seven other returning underclassmen, it could very much be the year for the Silverswords' time to rise.
The team's journey begins Friday when they face Rollins College from Florida, a 27-game winner last year, at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park. Friday will be a single game at 2 p.m. followed by a traditional doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.
"I'm really optimistic," said
Kent Yamaguchi who enters his 17th year with Chaminade, the last 14 as its head coach. "I'm excited. The team's really working hard."
Three of the Silverswords' seniors,
Rainelle Matsuoka (Honolulu/Kaiser),
Kayla Henmi (Torrance, Calif./South) and
Kiana Ulufale (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) are about to enter their fourth seasons as full-time starters.
Ashlyn Yagin (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) has been in a constant in the lineup the last two years while the fifth senior,
Kayla Higuchi (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea), has played a utility role as a pitcher, second baseman and corner outfielder during her career.
Matsuoka has been a force since arriving in 2016 when she bashed nine homers as a freshman. Two years and 11 long balls later, she needs just six more to pass Brandi Sasaki's 25 to become the school's all-time home run hitter.
All 105 of Henmi's career starts in left field and last year hit .264 with six stolen bases, both career-highs. Ulufale, who rarely batted in high school, improved her average each of her first three years as a 'Sword, hitting .248 last year although her power numbers dipped with just two extra-base hits (13 combined XBH as a freshman and sophomore). Meanwhile Yagin has been a defensive stalwart in centerfield due to her range and speed. The senior made several tremendous defensive plays last year including a game-ending diving catch at Dominican which preserved a run-rule win and another which ended an inning against Cal State San Marcos.
Ulufale will continue being the primary catcher while
Malia Ka`akimaka-Moisa (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) again serves in a reserve role behind the plate.
Kayla Russell (Honolulu/Kaiser) and
Makena Kealoha (Corona, Calif./Norco) also returm as the corner infielders although they are being challenged by freshmen
Marlisa Berrelleza (Indio, Calif./Indio),
Alexas Presto-Ahsing (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and junior college transfer
Alexis Velazquez (Fontana, Calif./Howard College/Alta Loma HS), the latter who helped guide Howard College to a 42-win season in 2018 and a berth in the NJCAA national tournament.
Sophomore hurler
Madelyn Stockslager (Torrance, Calif./South) assumes the role as the team's ace. Last year as a freshman, her 3.78 ERA was the lowest by a Silversword since Brett Aspel's 2.90 in 2013 and her 94 strikeouts is the most since 2002.
"I feel Maddy can be all-conference," Yamaguchi said. "I feel she can be one of the top pitchers in the conference.
"We need to play good defense behind her," he continued. In a statistical oddity, last year's squad posted a .936 fielding percentage, one of the lowest in the PacWest yet led the nation in double-plays per game at 0.65.
"We also need to produce runs, be more aggressive at the plate and make better adjustments quicker and be able to put runs on the board that will take pressure off our defense," Yamaguchi said.
If the 'Swords fortunes are to turn, they will need more consistency at the plate. Last year they were just 1-21 in games where they scored two runs or less, 3-9 in one-run contests and hit just .227 with runners in scoring position. Their power also experienced a dramatic dip, hitting just four homers last year after leaving the yard a record-23 times each of the two previous seasons.
Despite a wealth of experience, there are some questions. The 'Swords lost two talented freshmen from a year ago in second baseman and lead-off hitter Jackie Najera and 2018 Opening Game starter Devan Dickson.
The team hopes a pair of freshmen could provide the answer to replace Najera at second.
Cheyne Obara (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and
Hailey Matsumura (Honolulu/Saint Francis) both saw extensive action during Chaminade's five-game series during the University of Hawai'i Kama'aina Fall Classic last November.
"Right now, they're penciled in as our starting middle infielders," Yamaguchi said. "They're very talented and very skilled with their gloves."
Obara saw most of the time at second base and flashed great defensive range. Matsumura also showed defensive prowess but also proved capable of swinging the metal. Discard a combined 0-for-4 in two games against the Division I Rainbow Wahine, Matsumura went 4-for-10 with two runs and an RBI against Fullerton College and Antelope Valley.
Although Henmi and Yagin have left and center field locked down, right field has been far from settled. Last year five Silverswords started in the No. 9 position with
Maureen Hutchinson (Curtisville, Pa./Deer Park) and Alisen Endsley each making 16 starts. But with Endsley's departure to concentrate on academics, Hutchinson is the most experienced returnee. Higuchi started six games in right while
Kaitlyn Castillo (Makawao, Maui, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Maui) made four and utility player
Michelle Sasaki (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kalaheo) one. Sasaki is also capable of playing the infield.
Karyna Baldomino (Diamond Bar, Calif./Rowland), who redshirted last year, proved effective in the outfield during the fall and will also be an infielder and emergency catcher.
While Stockslager assumes the role as the team's unquestioned ace, the role of the second starter will likely go to Higuchi, who's made 50 career appearances in the circle, 40 in relief. After tossing nine innings during the Kama'aina Classic, Sasaki will also toe the rubber for the first time in her collegiate career adding another role to her utility spot, in addition to right field, left field and first and third base duties from last year. Baldomino will also have a chance to record outs in the circle, completing her role as a super-utility player.
Following the three-game series against Rollins, the 'Swords face Pacific University in a four-game set on February 14 and 15. Then they face a familiar foe in the University of British Columbia for four games February 17 and 18. Chaminade took three of four from the Thunderbirds last year.
With the departures of conference powers Dixie State and California Baptist which brought softball membership to 10, the PacWest now schedules four-game series with all schools as opposed to the unbalanced schedule each team played in previous seasons.
The Silverswords then open PacWest action February 22 against intercity rival Hawai'i Pacific University at CORP Field followed by a twin bill on the Big Island against Hawai'i Hilo. Chaminade's first four-game series is against Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday, March 2, followed by Holy Names on March 11.
The 'Swords will also travel to the southern California region for the first time since 2016 where they open their road trip on March 19 at Azusa Pacific. They will also face PacWest preseason favorite Concordia Irvine and Biola as they look to win in SoCal for the first time in 18 tries.
Chaminade returns to Turlock, Calif., for the annual Tournament of Champions for five contests against other West Region schools including a March 30 game against annual West Region participant UC San Diego.
The Silverswords return home and wrap up the season at CORP on Saturday, April 27 against UH Hilo.
"With our five seniors, I expect them to supply the leadership, to create a legacy for this team before they leave," Yamaguchi said. "I tell them that this is the season that everyone is going to remember you by and I think they will take that responsibility and carry it forth."
