The start of the 2024 calendar year was a highly anticipated in the annals of Chaminade University Athletics. Not only was it the debut of a new sport – beach volleyball – it featured the return of America's Pastime to the university.
The Silverswords resurrected their baseball program after being gone for 43 years, drawing interest from the local media and baseball fans alike. Opening Day for the 'Swords was on Feb. 2 against Cal State East Bay with curious fans lining the fences at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park Baseball Complex. The fanfare extended to bringing back members of the original 1980 team who were honored that evening.
The season went likely as anticipated with a 15-33 mark and 8-22 in the Pacific West Conference, although the 'Swords suffered some tough late inning losses throughout the season.
There were some standout performances throughout the season which included freshman outfielder
Ryan Ruch (San Diego/Patrick Henry) who hit .371 with 37 RBI, earning not only PacWest Freshman of the Year kudos but also all-conference third team honors.
Junior first baseman
Casey Kudell (Irvine, Calif./Irvine Valley College/Irvine HS) also had a standout season, earning All-PacWest Third Team honors after slashing .331/.441/.452 with 32 RBI.
Other sluggers who had quality seasons included freshman outfielder
Aydan Lobetos (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) (.298, 22 RBI, 32 runs, 10 steals),
Cato Kleinman (Westlake Village, Calif./Monterey Peninsula College/Westlake HS) (.292, 26 RBI, six steals) and
Jake Harper (San Pedro, Calif./El Camino College/San Pedro HS) (.268, 28 runs).
On the mound,
Max Patterson (Honolulu/Olympic College/Kalani HS) established himself as the staff ace, leading the Silverswords with four wins, 72 1/3 innings and 45 strikeouts.
Xavier Stoker (Cedar City, Utah/College of the Canyons//Canyon View HS) was a reliable No. 2 starter, picking up three wins and 36 Ks in 50 2/3 innings tossed.
Mac Elske (Lake Oswego, Ore./Lower Columbia CC/Lakeridge HS) flashed potential and had one of the team's top pitching performances at Division I University of Hawai'i on April 16 when he threw three perfect innings against the power Rainbow Warrior bats.
Freshman
Rhyn Chambers (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) was extremely reliable as the closer with four saves and a 1.66 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21 2/3 frames.
The 'Swords had two seniors they bid aloha: infielder/pitcher
JT Navyac (Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Cal State Fullerton/Saint Louis HS) who drove in 20 and also showed a big arm with 16 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings thrown; and graduate transfer outfielder
Haruki Kitazaki (Fukuoka, Japan/Northwestern Oklahoma State/Jiyugaoka HS) who hit .333 (7-of-21) in his final seven games.
