HONOLULU – The Chaminade University softball team opened their non-championship fall season Friday at the annual University of Hawai'i Fall Preseason Classic at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
The Silverswords lost their first game by a 5-3 count to Fullerton College in the tournament's opener. The team finished the day with a 4-2 defeat to Division I University of Hawai'i, also the tournament hosts.
Against Fullerton, it was an chance for the 'Swords' freshmen pitchers,
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) and
Ashley Ogata (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) to face collegiate pitching for the first time. Benson tossed the first three innings while Ogata finished the final four. Although the duo allowed 13 hits, only two runs were earned.
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) hit a solo homer while
Haley Hayakawa (Torrance, Calif./South) doubled in a run.
In the second game against the Rainbow Wahine,
Taylor Genera (Norwalk, Calif./Whitney) went the distance, scattering six hits while allowing just one earned run.
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) drove in both Chaminade runs in the top of the sixth.
Chaminade's defense, ranked among the Division II leaders last season in double plays, turned five twin-killings in the day including three against Fullerton.
For the Silverswords, it was an opportunity to get repetitions as they prepare for the upcoming spring season.
The tournament takes a day off then wraps up on Sunday. The Silverswords get Fullerton at noon followed by Hawai'i at 2:30 p.m.
