AZUSA, Calif. – Making the program's first-ever mainland trip in the month of February, the Chaminade University softball team nearly made a loud statement in their season opener.
The Silverswords on Friday took a one-run lead into the bottom of the seventh inning against Cal State San Marcos only to see the defending West Region champions and the NFCA Preseason No. 7 team in the nation score twice in a 3-2 walk-off win in the weather-plagued Concordia Kickoff Classic at the Cougar Field.
Originally to be held in Irvine, weather forced the closure of Orange County Great Park, causing all Friday games to be hosted by campus sites across Southern California including Chaminade to the Azusa Pacific campus.
Although the 'Swords managed just four hits against the Cougars, two came at big moments in the sixth.
Keaolani Takemura-Brehme (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) and
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) had back-to-back doubles, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.
Chaminade got the first out in the bottom of the seventh but a San Marcos double followed by an error brought in the tying run. The Silverswords were one out away from forcing extra innings but Mackenzie Kestler's two-bagger brought in the game winner.
Ashley Ogata (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) got the Opening Day nod for the 'Swords, scattering 11 hits in taking the loss.
Jayline Sloss got the win in relief for the Cougars.
With weather again forcing the closure of Great Park, Saturday contests at the Concordia Kickoff Classic will again be relocated to campus sites with matchups being rearranged.
The Silverswords will be at Biola University's Freedom Field and will face San Francisco State at 9 a.m. Pacific time and Sonoma State at 2 p.m. Pacific. The original schedule had them facing Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State Monterey Bay.
Sunday's final day of the Classic is again pending the availability of Great Park due to the weather.
