HONOLULU – Chaminade University softball head coach
Kent Yamaguchi announced Thursday the signing of catcher
Keaolani Takemura to a National Letter of Intent for the 2021 season.
Takemura, a graduate of Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, hit .308 with six RBI in three Interscholastic League of Honolulu games during the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Owls' second ILH contest of the season on March 7, she homered twice and drove in four in a 10-7 win over defending state champion Iolani.
Takemura, who can also play third base, shortstop and the outfield, earned All-ILH honorable mention honors in 2019 and was the Owls' two-time Most Valuable Player.
She is the Silverswords' first recruit to sign for the upcoming season.
"We are lucky to have her as a Silversword," Yamaguchi said. "In my opinion she was one of the top players in Hawai'i last year. She can play multiple positions and adds some hitting to our lineup."
The 'Swords have 14 returnees including five who started all 12 games in the shortened 2020 season; right fielder
Malia Ka`akimaka-Moisa (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell), middle infielders
Hailey Matsumura (Honolulu/Saint Francis HS) and
Cheyne Obara and third baseman
Jaeda Cabunoc (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Roosevelt). Also returning is sophomore first baseman
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani), who hit a team-best .357 last year, and starting pitchers
Madelyn Stockslager (Torrance, Calif./South) and
Taylor Genera (Norwalk, Calif./Whitney).
