With the start of the new decade, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the Chaminade University softball team.
With eight newcomers mixed with nine returnees, the Silverswords believe they have the components to make noise in 2020.
The 'Swords will find out what they have Tuesday when they make their debut against the University of British Columbia at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park Softball Complex in a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m.
This is the third straight year the Thunderbirds are traveling to the 50th state with Chaminade owning a 5-3 all-time lead in the series. Last year, the teams split their four-game series and in 2018, the 'Swords took three of four.
"I think we have the potential to reach our goals of contending for the title," said
Kent Yamaguchi who enters is 15th year as head coach and 18th overall with the program. "We brought in some excellent freshmen pitchers and some newcomers who we think can get some hits."
One of the reasons for optimism is a revamped pitching staff. Led by
Madelyn Stockslager (Torrance, Calif./South), the staff ace and All-Pacific West Conference Third Team honoree a year ago, the 'Swords welcome freshmen newcomers
Taylor Genera (Norwalk, Calif./Whitney) and
Jaeda Cabunoc (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Roosevelt) to the rotation. Genera averaged well over a strikeout per inning during her career at Whitney High School while Cabunoc was a two-time all-state pitcher at Roosevelt High.
During November's Fall Preseason Classic on the University of Hawai'i campus, the 'Swords' rotation held their own against the host Rainbow Wahine, a Division I school known for their power, and Fullerton College.
The staff fared well including holding UH's lethal bats to just nine combined runs in two games. Although the team ERA was 6.16 during the four-game tournament, Stockslager punched out nine total while Genera K'd five. Cabunoc struggled in her only appearance, allowing five runs in two innings against Fullerton but showed poise in the circle.
However the success of the Silverswords will depend greatly on if they can put bat to ball.
Chaminade's top returnee is
Malia Ka`akimaka-Moisa (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell), who had had a breakout sophomore season last year, earning All-PacWest Second Team honors at utility with her four homers and 19 RBI leading the team. During the fall tournament, she homered twice including one against UH, becoming the first Chaminade hitter to homer off a Rainbow Wahine pitcher since tournament records starting being kept in 2008. Ka'akimaka-Moisa split time at catcher and right field last year but will likely see the majority of her field time in right. Fellow junior
Kayla Russell (Honolulu/Kaiser) is also back and has been pushing Ka'akimaka-Moisa for playing time in right.
Chaminade's sophomore middle infielders, second baseman
Cheyne Obara (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and shortstop
Hailey Matsumura (Honolulu/Saint Francis) have a year of collegiate experience under their belts. And
Makena Kealoha (Corona, Calif./Norco), who split time at third base and both corner outfield spots last season, hit .245, a 124-point improvement from her freshman campaign.
Other returnees include
Karyna Baldomino (Diamond Bar, Calif./Rowland), infielder
Alexas Presto-Ahsing (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and outfielder
Kaitlyn Castillo (Makawao, Maui, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Maui), the team's lone senior.
Several impactful bats are gone including four-year starters
Rainelle Matsuoka (second all-time in career home runs),
Kiana Ulufale,
Kayla Henmi and
Ashlyn Yagin as well as second-leading hitter
Alexis Velazquez who transferred to Fort Hays State.
But there is a lot of potential in their freshmen replacements.
Kailah Gates-Coyaso (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Waianae) showed to be an excellent game-caller behind the plate during the UH tournament as did junior college transfer
Ronni Gallegos (Long Beach, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/St. Joseph HS).
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) had a productive tournament and showed an excellent glove at first base.
There are also battles at third base, left field and center field. Kealoha and Cabunoc, who started two games at third and one at second during the UH tournament, are vying for the spot at third.
For the two outfield spots, Baldomino is capable of playing all three positions with
Yolanda Racaza (San Pedro, Calif./Port of Angeles) competing for a corner outfield spot. And fans will have to get used to seeing a new centerfielder after Yagin practically lived there, having started 130 of Chaminade's last 137 games patrolling center field since the start of 2017. Speedster
Kieren Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif./Frontier) appears to be the frontrunner for the job but is being pushed by Baldomino and
Jehna Ramiscal (Visailia, Calif./El Diamante), the latter who can also play the infield.
There are also additions to the coaching staff who might help be able to help the youthful 'Swords unleash their potential.
Roger Javillo enters his first year as pitching coach after 16 successful seasons at Hawai'i Pacific University including a national championship in 2010.
Rayna Hood is also in her first year as infield coach and is considered to be one of the top hitters in Chaminade history. Known as
Rayna Strom-Okimoto during her playing days (2012-13), the former All-PacWest shortstop is the only player in school history with a career batting average of over .400 and guided the team to a 25-win season her senior year. They join
George LaRosa who enters his 10th year as an assistant with the outfield.
Following their opener against UBC, the 'Swords will jump right in to PacWest action on Saturday, Feb. 22 against longtime rival Hawai'i Pacific University in Kaneohe.
From there, it will be six straight home twin bills against the three of the top four squads in the conference preseason poll. Two-time defending PacWest champion Concordia Irvine, led by All-American pitcher Callie Nunes, will open the home stand on Sunday, March 1. Azusa Pacific and Biola follow then the 'Swords hit the road for an 18-day, 21-game road trip to the PacWest's northern California section as well as the annual Tournament of Champions in Turlock, Calif., from March 27 to 29.
The team wraps up the season with three straight doubleheaders against HPU and Hawai'i Hilo, two of which are at home.
