HONOLULU – The Chaminade University softball team was looking to rebound from the frustration of Sunday's twin losses to Academy of Art against interisland rival, University of Hawai'i Hilo.
Instead, the Silverswords were baffled again as their offense struggled for a second straight twin bill outing Saturday, dropping 2-1 and 4-1 decisions to the Vulcans Saturday at Silversword Field at Sand Island Park. They also dropped a doubleheader to UH Hilo for the first time since the 2021 season, which was shortened to just 24 games.
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) collected hits in both games, extending her hitting streak to a career-high nine games.
The 'Swords, who entered Saturday holding on the fourth and final spot for the upcoming Pacific West Conference Tournament, dropped to the fifth spot behind Dominican.
Despite its current four-game losing streak, Chaminade (14-19 overall, 10-13 PacWest) is still capable of clinching a tournament bid, although they will likely need to win their final four conference games and get some help along the way.
UH Hilo, meanwhile, is 20-14 and, at 14-10 in the PacWest, inched closer to clinching a tournament berth.
Game 1: UHH 2, CUH 1
Pitching dominated the matinee contest with the first hit of the game resulting in the first run on Kanoe Piltz's second inning RBI single.
Chaminade, no-hit through three innings, finally got back-to-back base knocks from
Keaolani Takemura-Brehme (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) and
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) to open the fourth.
Desiree Bravo (Corona, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Centennial HS) brought Takemura-Brehme home with her RBI groundout to knot the score at 1.
But in the sixth, UH Hilo capitalized on an error which allowed the go-ahead run to score.
The 'Swords got the tying run on in their half of the sixth on a Brown infield single but she was stranded at first. They were also retired in order in the seventh.
Chaminade got just three hits while
Kamryn Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial) took the hard-luck loss, scattering eight hits with one of the two runs she allowed was earned.
Chloe Sales picked up the win for the Vulcans.
Game 2: UHH 4, CUH 1
UH Hilo scored four times in the first four innings while Brown's RBI double in the first accounted for Chaminade's lone run.
However, they had ample opportunities to tack on more. In the third, the 'Swords had a chance for a big inning by loading the bases but all three runners were left stranded. They also had two on in the sixth but again, none were not able to come home.
In the seventh and down to their final out, Brown got her second hit while Bravo got her third, bringing the tying run to the plate but a called third strike quelled the threat and ended the game.
Although Chaminade collected nine hits, they couldn't get the big hit when they needed. Of the 10 runners left on base, six where in scoring position. They did get another admirable pitching from starter
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) and
Ashley Ogata (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani), the latter tossing four innings of scoreless relief.
Madison Rabe earned the win for the Vulcans.
The Silverswords and Vulcans meet again Sunday, although the doubleheader are non-conference and will have no bearing in the PacWest standings.
Weather permitting, the first game is scheduled for noon. It will also be the final home games for six seniors: Brown, Takemura-Brehme,
Kailah Gates-Coyaso (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Waianae),
Haley Hayakawa (Torrance, Calif./South),
Jaeda Kumaewa-Cabunoc (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Roosevelt) and
Chasity McKean (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/College of Southern Nevada/Kapolei HS). All six will be honored after the back end of the twin bill.
