KANEOHE, O'ahu, Hawai'i – Over the years, Hawai'i Pacific University has practically dominated the all-time series against Chaminade University in softball.
That scenario has changed drastically, at least in 2021.
On Saturday at HPU's Howard Okita Field, the Silverswords completed a weekend "home" sweep of the Sharks. Due to the unavailability of Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park, Okita Field is serving as Chaminade's home field this season.
Cheyne Obara (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City), who had a game-ending hit on Friday to invoke the run-rule, had a more traditional walk-off winner with a ninth-inning infield single in the 'Swords' 3-2 win in Saturday's first game.
Chaminade (6-4 Pacific West Conference) then completed the four-game sweep thanks to a seven-run fourth inning to defeat HPU,10-2 in five.
Obara went 4-for-8 with two RBI and two runs in the twin bill,
Haley Hayakawa (Torrance, Calif./South) was 4-for-6 and a run while
Taylor Genera (Norwalk, Calif./Whitney) was a two-edged 'Sword with the bat (3-for-7, two RBI, two runs) and in the circle (Game 2 win).
The Silverswords have won all six meetings against the Sharks this season. According to available records (there are 10 seasons of unreported scores and statistics), Chaminade had never taken more than two games in a season against HPU during its history and had an all-time record of 12-134 entering 2021.
The six wins also guarantees at least a season-series tie against HPU (0-7 PacWest). They have four games – and possibly six if the March 6 postponed doubleheader is made up – remaining against the Sharks.
Game 1
The 'Swords opened the scoring in the third inning on Genera's RBI single followed by a sacrifice fly on a deep foul ball to right field by
Hailey Matsumura (Honolulu/Saint Francis). HPU got a run in the fifth then managed to push across the tying run in the top of seventh on Brandi Leong's double into left field which helped send the game into extra innings.
In the ninth,
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) smacked a one-out double off the fence in left then made a heady base-running read by moving to third on a groundout to shortstop. Obara, who has excelled since moving from the leadoff to a run-producing spot in the lineup, then smashed a comebacker back into the circle. The ball caromed off pitcher Megan Wilson's glove and ricocheted to first base, allowing Brown to cross with the game-winning run.
Obara and Brown each had two of Chaminade's nine hits with Brown scoring two of the 'Swords runs.
Although starter
Madelyn Stockslager (Torrance, Calif./South) labored throughout the game with 161 pitches, she pitched out of jams, stranding six HPU runners in scoring position. The senior scattered eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts to up her record to 4-3.
Game 2
After Genera worked out of a bases-loaded jam with no damage down in the top of the first, the Silverswords used their legs to plate the nightcap game's first two runs. Hayakawa scored in the bottom of the first on the second of two passed balls while Matsumura scampered home on a wild pitch an inning later.
In the third, Matsumura's RBI single put the 'Swords up 3-0 although the Sharks got two runs back in the fourth on a triple by Noel Saunders to close to within a run.
However, Chaminade got the runs back in the bottom of the inning, and then some. Obara and Genera had RBI singles while
Malia Ka`akimaka-Moisa (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Campbell) beat out a throw home for the third run of the inning.
Ronni Gallegos (Long Beach, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Saint Joseph's HS) got her first two career RBIs when her bouncer up the middle was deflected into shallow right-center by the shortstop.
The 'Swords weren't done, getting their ninth run on a bases-loaded walk by
Keaolani Takemura (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) then got the necessary run for a mercy-rule finish when Gallegos scored on a wild pitch.
All that was left was for Genera to slam the door in the fifth, which she did with the help of her defense. With one out, a Sharks runner was caught in between first and second base on a groundout and was tagged out at second for the game-ending double play.
All nine Chaminade batters in the order reached base and all nine scored at least one run with Genera crossing the plate twice. Hayakawa went 3-for-3 while Obara and Genera were 2-for-3 at the dish.
In the circle, Genera tossed a five-hitter with two strikeouts to improve to 2-1. Malia Wilson was charged with the loss in two different appearances in the game to fall to 0-4.
The Silverswords will get a week off before facing the University of Hawai'i Hilo in a four-game series starting Friday, April 9 at Okita Field.
