KANEOHE, O'ahu, Hawai'i – The Chaminade University softball team concluded a stretch of 12 consecutive games on O'ahu Saturday by splitting a non-conference doubleheader against Hawai'i Pacific University at Howard Okita Field, both games ending in thrilling fashion.
The Silverswords couldn't protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning of the opener as the Sharks plated three runs for a walk-off 6-5 win.
However, the 'Swords salvaged the split in the nightcap, getting the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh then getting stellar defense in the bottom of the frame for a 2-1 victory.
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) went 7-for-8 in the twin bill while driving in a pair of runs, including the Game 2 go-ahead RBI, in her usual lead-off spot in the lineup card.
The two single-run wins demonstrated yet again how hotly contested the series between the two has been. Six of the last eight meetings – including the last four – have been decided by one run with three walk-offs.
Chaminade is 9-7 on the season while HPU is 4-16.
Game 1: HPU 6, CUH 5
After the Sharks plated the game's first run in the bottom of the third, the Silverswords answered with a four-run top of the fourth.
Elora Tonaki (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i Technology Academy) came in on a wild pitch, followed by back-to-back RBI knocks from
Kailah Gates-Coyaso (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Waianae) and Fujioka.
Keaolani Takemura-Brehme (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) brought in Chaminade's fourth run with a sacrifice fly.
HPU closed to 4-3 in the sixth with a pair of runs but
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) gave CUH a 5-3 cushion with an RBI double in the top of the seventh.
However, in the home half of the seventh, an error opened the door for the Sharks, leading to a run. With two outs, Hoku Ching and Jewell Larson got back-to-back RBI flares that dropped into shallow center field, the latter for the walk-off win.
Chaminade had 11 hits with Fujioka going a perfect 4-for-4 at the dish with
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) and Brown both getting a pair of knocks.
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) took the loss to fall to 2-2.
The Sharks got nine hits in the opener with Taylor Thompson improving to 3-5 in the circle.
Game 2: CUH 2, HPU 1
The Sharks plated a first-inning score but
Kamryn Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial), making just her second start of the season, helped keep the Sharks from crossing the plate the rest of the game.
After being kept off the board the first four innings,
Isabel Rodriguez (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) reached on an error and, two batters later,
Desiree Bravo (Corona, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Centennial HS) brought her home for the game-tying sacrifice fly.
HPU threatened in the fifth by loading the bases with one out but the 'Swords got out of it with a throw out by Fujioka at home to prevent the go-ahead run. Lopez then induced a comebacker to quell the threat.
In the seventh, Fujioka got her fourth hit, rocketing a hopper that deflected off the second baseman's glove, allowing
Summer Buck (Honolulu/Kaiser) to jet around third for the go-ahead run.
With yet another game-winning opportunity and HPU's Taimane Panganoran representing the tying run at second, Larson, the Game 1 walk-off hero, attempted to repeat her role, drilling a fly ball off the wall in center. Buck quickly retrieved the ball and got it to Fujioka as Panganoran rounded third. Fujioka fired a dart home to Tuifao, making her first career start at catcher, who tagged out Panganoran at the plate for the second out, eliminating the tying run. Meanwhile Larson attempted to take third but Tuifao, in turn, fired a strike to
Jaeda Kumaewa-Cabunoc (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Roosevelt) at third for a wild, game-ending 8-6-2-5 double play, preserving the Silverswords' win.
Fujioka had three of Chaminade's five hits while Lopez scattered nine hits but stranded five HPU runners in scoring position to improve to 5-2 on the season.
Layla Molina took the loss to fall to 0-5.
The Silverswords will have 10 days off then resume Pacific West Conference action in their semi-annual daunting Southern California road swing, which could very well determine their postseason fate and a berth in the conference tournament.
The 'Swords open their trip on Tuesday, March 26 against 22nd-ranked Concordia University Irvine in a matchup of the PacWest's top two teams in the standings. CUI is 14-0 in the PacWest while Chaminade is 5-1.
