AZUSA, Calif. – The Chaminade University softball team wrapped up their 11-game road trip Tuesday by splitting the final doubleheader against Azusa Pacific at Cougars Softball Complex.
The Silverswords defeated the Cougars, 3-1, in the matinee before dropping the series finale, 7-2, giving the series win to Azusa Pacific, three games to one.
Chaminade's win, however, represented the program's first-ever victory at APU, having lost the first 16 meetings in the venue since the Cougars joined the Pacific West Conference in 2014. The Silverswords were also 0-17 all-time at Cougars Softball Complex which included the season-opening loss to then-No. 7 Cal State San Marcos at the Concordia Kickoff Classic in February.
After entering the road trip having lost 48 straight in the Southern California region dating back to 1992, the 'Swords completed the trip with wins in each of their three series which included nationally-ranked Concordia University Irvine and Biola.
The Silverswords are 12-15 on the season and 8-9 in the PacWest while Azusa Pacific is 19-12 and 10-4 in the conference.
Game 1: CUH 3, APU 1
The 'Swords got everything rolling when
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) banged a second-inning lead-off double off the wall in left field off Cougars ace Katie Korstrom then advanced to third on a single from
Kobe Brown (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani).
Desiree Bravo (Corona, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Centennial HS) drove in Tuifao on a sacrifice fly for the game's first run.
Jaeda Kumaewa-Cabunoc (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Roosevelt) followed with another single following by
Bailey Jacobsen (Buena Park, Calif./Cypress), who had the game's big hit, scalding an opposite field double, bringing in both Brown and Kumaewa-Cabunoc, giving Chaminade a 3-0 lead.
CUH's defense also came through in the third. Kumaewa-Cabunoc threw out a potential run at home and
Chasity McKean (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/College of Southern Nevada/Kapolei HS) ended the frame with a diving catch in left center.
The Cougars got a run in the fourth and had the tying and go-ahead runs on board when they loaded the bases with one out but
Ashley Ogata (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani) came out of the bullpen and got a pop-up and fly out to quell the threat.
Azusa Pacific threatened again with runners on the corners and one out. But Ogata again got out of the jam with a pop up and ground out to preserve the two-run lead.
Needing three outs to close out the game, the 'Swords flashed more glove work when McKean again took away a hit with another diving catch, nearly the same area as she did in the third for the first out of the seventh. Second baseman
Kailah Gates-Coyaso (Waianae, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Waianae) got the second out, scooping out a two-hopper and making a running throw to first. The Cougars then put two runners on with the winning run at the plate but Ogata got Bella Fraser to fly out to McKean who made a running basket catch in shallow center.
Brown and Kumaewa-Cabunoc each had two of Chaminade's six hits. Ogata tossed the final 3 2/3 scoreless frames, allowing just three hits to pick up her third win of the year.
Korstrom, who picked up the shutout win in Monday's opening game of the series, allowed six hits and was saddled with the loss.
Game 2: APU 7, CUH 2
A two-out run-scoring double by Tuifao opened the first inning for the 'Swords as they looked to complete a Day 2 sweep. However, the Cougars scored three times in the second and twice more in the fourth to hold a 5-1 lead.
Chaminade got a run in the fifth off a
Keaolani Takemura-Brehme (Pearl City, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute) RBI single but that would be all for the 'Swords. APU tacked on two runs in the sixth for the game's final margin.
The 'Swords got six base knocks off Azusa Pacific Game 4 Sydnie Sahhar who got the win. Ogata was charged with the loss.
The Silverswords will return home to begin their final eight home games of the year, starting Saturday with the series opening twin bill against Academy of Art. First pitch at Silversword Field at Sand Island Park is set for noon.
