IRVINE, Calif. – The Chaminade University softball team wrapped up their second Concordia Kickoff Classic tournament Sunday, falling to Chico State, 4-0, at Orange Country Great Park.
After totaling 19 hits in their two Saturday games, the Silverswords' bats fell quiet with just two knocks against the Wildcats.
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) accounted for both hits in the finale.
Chico State got three runs in the third and another in the sixth while tournament Most Outstanding Player Amelie Valdez went the distance and struck out nine to help the Wildcats win all five games.
Ava Walker (Las Vegas/Faith Lutheran) took the loss but went all seven innings to become the first Chaminade pitcher to toss a complete game.
Catcher
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) was named to the all-tournament team after hitting .385 with six RBI and three extra base hits.
Cal State San Marcos, the 'Swords' season-opening opponent, Chico State and Cal State East Bay all went 5-0 over the weekend. But CSUSM was declared the team champion thanks to a plus-25 run differential.
Paige Donnelly and Savannah Coyle of San Marcos were the co-Most Valuable Players.
Although the 'Swords were just 1-4 in the tournament, they fared well against all five opponents who went a combined 20-4 in the field and had a run differential of minus-10.
Also on Sunday, the team announced that their home doubleheader against Cal Poly Humboldt on Friday has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start time.
The Silverswords will remain in southern California and be at No. 15 Cal State Dominguez Hills on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. Hawai'i time.
