LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Chaminade University softball team is picked to finish eighth in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Poll as voted by the conference coaches.
The Silverswords received 48 points in the poll, 20 more than Academy of Art and Hawai'i Pacific University, which both received 28 points.
Concordia University Irvine was a near-unanimous pick to win their fourth straight PacWest title, earning 10 of the 11 first-place votes. Azusa Pacific, chosen second, received the other vote.
The University of Hawai'i Hilo was picked third followed by Biola. The top four eligible teams at the end of the regular season receive berths to the PacWest Championships starting April 30 in Irvine, California, which will determine the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Conference newcomer Jessup University, who reached the championship round of last year's NAIA Tournament, was chosen fifth. Dominican University of California and Vanguard University, who, like Jessup, played in the NAIA tournament, were tied for sixth. As first-year members, Jessup, Vanguard and Menlo College are not eligible for the tournament.
The Silverswords have 10 returnees from a year ago including senior shortstop
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City), the reigning PacWest Player of the Year who won the conference batting title with a .415 average. Senior designated player
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei), who hit .358 and 21 RBI, is also back as is junior pitcher
Kamryn Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial), last year's team's ERA leader at 1.64.
Kent Yamaguchi, who is entering his 20th year as head coach, also welcomes 12 newcomers to the mix.
Chaminade opens the season at the Concordia Kickoff Classic on Jan. 31 against 23rd-ranked Cal State San Marcos.
PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1. |
Concordia |
120 (10) |
| 2. |
Azusa Pacific |
106 (1) |
| 3. |
Hawai'i Hilo |
88 |
| 4. |
Biola |
87 |
| 5. |
Jessup |
78 |
| T6. |
Dominican |
59 |
| T6. |
Vanguard |
59 |
| 8. |
CHAMINADE |
48 |
| T9. |
Academy of Art |
28 |
| T9. |
Hawai'i Pacific |
28 |
| 11. |
Menlo |
27 |
