WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University softball team picked up their first win of the season, defeating Pacific University of Oregon, 2-1, Thursday in the first game of non-conference doubleheader at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park.
Both Chaminade runs were by a pair of Campbell High School alumnae.
Kiana Ulufale (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i) homered in the second inning while
Ashlyn Yagin (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i) drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
Game 2 was suspended due to rain in the top of the third inning with the Boxers leading 5-0. It will be completed on Friday at 3:30 p.m. with the scheduled doubleheader between the two teams to follow.
The Silverswords are 1-2 on the season while Pacific fell to 4-3.
Game 1
After being retired in order in the first inning, Ulufale led off the second with a solo blast to left-center for the game's first run. For the senior catcher, it was her eighth career home run and a good sign that her power may be returning. Last year, Ulufale did not homer until her 38th game.
The 'Swords put pressure on Boxers starter Morgan Masters by putting runners in scoring position in the each of the last six innings. However Chaminade couldn't get that one big hit to help break the game open. It included having runners at first and second with no out in the fourth and in the fifth when a double-steal attempt with runners on the corners could not be converted.
In the sixth, the Silverswords loaded the bases via three walks by Pacific reliever Cheyenne Daton. Yagin then coaxed a bases-loaded walk for an insurance run in the sixth.
The Boxers got a one-out RBI single from pinch-hitter Amanda Machado but
Madelyn Stockslager (Torrance, Calif./South) induced two groundouts to third baseman
Makena Kealoha (Corona, Calif./Norco) and
Cheyne Obara (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) to preserve the win.
Stockslager, who had not allowed a hit until the fourth, surrendered just four knocks and did not issue a walk to pick up the win, evening her record to 1-1. She also struck out four in the complete-game victory.
Masters (2-1) went four innings to take the loss while Daton tossed the final two frames for Pacific.
Game 2
The Boxers wasted no time against the 'Swords' second-game starter
Kayla Higuchi (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) with three consecutive hits, the final being a two-run single by Hailey Miller. Pacific tacked on two more runs when the heavens opened up, causing the game to be suspended in the top of the third.
It will resume on Friday at 3:30 p.m. with Pacific still batting in the top of the third with runners on second and third with no outs. Kiana Kushiyama was at the plate with a 1-0 count when the game was suspended. After the completion of the contest, the two teams will play their regularly scheduled doubleheader.
