HONOLULU – In Year 2 of the revival of the Chaminade University baseball program, the Silverswords hope to make a little more noise in 2025.
The 'Swords open the season on Friday, hosting Drury University in a two-game series at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park Baseball Complex. The finale will shift to Hans L'Orange Park on Sunday.
The 'Swords return 22 letterwinners from last season including All-Pacific West Conference first baseman
Casey Kudell (Irvine, Calif./Irvine Valley College/Irvine HS) who hit .331 and drove in 32 runs.
Evon Williams (San Ramon, Calif./Dougherty Valley) made a combined 30 starts at shortstop and third base while
Caleb Kim (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Christian Academy) was in the lineup card 17 times at shortstop and four at second base.
The 'Swords have experience in outfielders
Aydan Lobetos (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) and
Jake Harper (San Pedro, Calif./El Camino College/San Pedro HS) who made 40 and 36 starts, respectively. Lobetos hit .298 and led the 'Swords with 32 runs and 10 steals while Harper hit .268 with 28 runs.
Ace Perry (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/University) and
Kia'i Kawai (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) both saw time in the outfield.
Behind the plate,
Joe DuCoeur (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho/Lake City) and
Jaren Banis (Wahiawa, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) return after combining to start 41 games for Chaminade. DuCoeur was the Silverswords' primary catcher after hitting .235 with 12 RBI while Banis was a solid No. 2 backstop.
Head coach
Chad Konishi has the luxury of having all four members of his rotation back with
Max Patterson (Honolulu/Olympic College/Kalani HS),
Xavier Stoker (Cedar City, Utah/College of the Canyons//Canyon View HS),
Mac Elske (Lake Oswego, Ore./Lower Columbia CC/Lakeridge HS) and
Brayden Wells (Pullman, Wash./Lower Columbia CC/Pullman HS).
Patterson led the 'Swords in wins (4), innings (72 1/3) and strikeouts (45) while Stoker and Elske each tossed 50 innings. Wells made seven starts before an injury sidelined him for the second half of 2024.
Out of the bullpen, closer
Rhyn Chambers (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) was spectacular, posting four saves with a 1.66 ERA, striking out 26 in 21 2/3 innings.
Sebastian Castro (San Diego/Palomar College/Great Oak) made 15 appearances, the second-most on the team, trailing only Chambers.
Mac Zawistoski (Coto de Caza, Calif./JSerra Catholic) and
Joseph Cossette (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Cerritos Colelge/Laguna Hills HS) were also key setup relievers.
There are 21 newcomers to the team which includes first baseman
Safea Villaruz-Mauai (Hilo, Hawai'i/BYU/Waiakea HS) who was on the team last season but sat out after transferring from BYU. Among the CUH rookies are 12 pitchers including five lefties.
Following this weekend's Drury series, Chaminade faces North Greenville on Friday, Feb 7. The Crusaders are a perennial Division II power, capturing the 2022 national championship.
From there, they jump right into PacWest action starting an eight-game road trip at Azusa Pacific (Feb. 13-15) and Westmont College (Feb. 20-22). The 'Swords return home and will face Division I Wichita State at the University of Hawai'i's Les Murakami Stadium on Monday, Feb. 24.
PacWest squads visiting O'ahu this year include Concordia University Irvine (March 1-3), Biola (March 6-8), new conference member Vanguard (April 11-13) and three-time defending PacWest champion Point Loma (April 18-19), which has reached the NCAA National Championship two of the past three seasons.
Among the local teams, the Silverswords will play at the University of Hawai'i Hilo on March 30-31 and host Hawai'i Pacific University to close the season on April 24, 25 and 27. Sprinkled in are games against their Division I neighbors right down Waialae Ave., Hawai'i Manoa, on March 11 and April 22.
The top four eligible teams will advance to the PacWest Championships starting May 7 in Fresno, California (Jessup, Menlo and Vanguard are not eligible since they are in their first transitional year from the NAIA). The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA West Regionals.
