GREENWOOD, Ind. – Five members from the Chaminade University softball team were named Tuesday to the Academic All-District® Division II Softball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators.
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani),
Kailah Gates-Coyaso (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Waianae),
Chasity McKean (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/College of Southern Nevada/Kapolei HS),
Cheyne Obara (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and
Keaolani Takemura (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) were recognized by the CSC in District 8, which includes the Pacific West Conference, California Collegiate Athletic Association and Great Northwest Athletic Confernece.
Brown, a Psychology major, hit .264 for the Silverswords and a career-high 14 RBI. She is also valued for her defense at first base as her .994 fielding percentage is the highest in program history.
Gates-Coyaso, who is majoring in Business Administration, hit .243 with 27 hits, 19 runs, seven sacrifice bunts and five stolen bases, all career highs. The junior played a super utility role for the 'Swords, seeing action in five different areas but getting most of her starts either in right field (21) or at catcher (13 games).
McKean had a turnaround 2023 season. After struggling at the plate in '22, the Criminology and Criminal Justice major more than doubled her production, hitting .331 on the season with 10 extra base hits including three triples. She also drove in 25 which was tied for second on the club. McKean also had a perfect fielding percentage while making four outfield assists.
Obara concluded her five-year career as one of the top defensive players in school history. An Elementary Education major, Obara completed her athletic eligibility with a .967 fielding percentage which is seventh all-time and second in career assists with 368. Her 40 double plays turned is the most by middle infielders.
Takemura, a junior Psychology major, had one of the top seasons by a Silversword since 2013. The catcher was second in the PacWest in average (100 or more at-bats) at .389 and finished the regular season as the conference RBI leader with 41 (she has since been passed by Concordia's Rylie Rohr, who played in seven postseason games since the conclusion of the regular season). Takemura also continues to lead in triples (11) while also in the top 3 in slugging percentage (.584), on-base percentage (.455) and OPS (1.039).
All five will advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot where Academic All-District® honorees advance to the First-, second and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced June 6.
The Division II CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 Divisions II Academic All-America® programs.
