HONOLULU – The Chaminade University softball team concluded their three-game Pacific West Conference series against the University of Hawai'i Hilo on Sunday with a 17-7 defeat at Silversword Field at Sand Island Park.
For the second time in the series, the Vulcans had one giant inning which proved to be the determining factor in helping them sweep the series.
On Saturday, it was an 11-run fifth that was the Silverswords' undoing. Twenty-four hours later, it was an eight-run sixth.
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) reached base three times with a hit and two walks while tying her career high with three RBI, exhibiting signs that she may be emerging from her recent slump at the plate.
Chaminade fell to 2-19 and 1-5 in the PacWest while UH Hilo is 9-7 and 3-0.
Miranda Diaz (Whittier, Calif./Cerritos College/California HS) drove in the 'Swords' lone run as they trailed 4-1 heading to the bottom of the second inning, where Fujioka made it 4-3 on a two-run double.
UH Hilo plated a run in the fifth but the Silverswords put together a big crooked number of their own in the bottom half of the frame. The first five reached base, tying it at 5 on when
Isabel Rodriguez (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) was plunked followed by
Desiree Bravo's (Corona, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Centennial HS) RBI single. CUH took the lead when UH Hilo second baseman Kiani Nakamura misplayed Fujioka's grounder, leading to two runs and a 7-5 lead.
But the fun times ended in the next half-inning on a game-tying two run homer followed later by a bases-loaded walk which gave the Vulcans the 8-7 lead. But it didn't stop there with five more runs scoring in the inning followed by a four-run seventh.
Diaz had two of Chaminade's seven hits in the finale while Rodriguez scored twice.
Ava Walker (Las Vegas/Faith Lutheran) was charged with the loss.
Six Vulcans had multiple hits while the team had 20 in all. Lauren Otsubo picked up the win.
The Silverswords are back in action Friday with a conference series against Azusa Pacific beginning Friday. First pitch of the twin bill at Silversword Field is at noon.
