HONOLULU – Super Bowl Sunday was not so super for the Chaminade University softball team.
The Silverswords on Sunday lost both contests to Southern Oregon University, 6-0 and 4-3, at Silversword Field at Sand Island Park.
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) and
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) combined for seven total hits on the afternoon as they continued to swing hot bats two weeks into the season. Fujioka, the reigning Pacific West Conference Player of the Year, upped her average to .405 while Tuifao is hitting .417 with 11 RBI.
Although the Silverswords are 1-12 to start the season, none of the 10 opponents they have faced this season have a losing record entering Sunday. Nebraska-Kearney (4-4) is the only opponent that doesn't have a winning slate so far. Chaminade's opponents are a combined 52-18 this season with a winning percentage of 74.3.
Southern Oregon, the No. 4-ranked squad in the NAIA is 4-0 to start its season.
Game 1: SOU 6, CUH 0
The 'Swords were able to produce six base hits in the opening contest. However, their two extra base hits – a
Vanessa Pena (Paramount, Calif./Paramount) one-out triple in the third and Tuifao's leadoff double in the sixth did not result in a run.
Ava Walker (Las Vegas/Faith Lutheran) went the distance in taking the loss for Chaminade, with four runs being earned.
Ayla Davies picked up the win for the Raiders.
Game 2: SOU 4, CUH 3
Down 1-0 in the first, Tuifao plated Fujioka in the bottom of the frame to even the game. In the second, freshman second baseman
Mimi Smith (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union) came up clutch with two outs, working a full count against Raiders hurler Kennedy Kila then on the 10th pitch of the at-bat, brought home
Mikala Jacobsen (Buena Park, Calif./Cypress College/Cypress HS) for her first career RBI to put the 'Swords ahead.
Tuifao drove in her second run of the game in the fourth, a bases-loaded single which plated a run to give Chaminade a 3-1 lead.
However, the Raiders scored three times in the fifth to retake the lead.
The 'Swords threatened in the sixth with runners on second and third with one out. Bad luck would pay a visit when Tuifao's liner that was headed to left center was speared by SOU shortstop Sammie Pemberton that saved two runs.
Fujioka had three hits in the nightcap, extending her hitting streak to six while getting knocks in 10 of her last 11. Tuifao had a pair of base knocks and has hit safely in 10 of the 'Swords' 13 games this season.
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) was charged with the loss.
Southern Oregon's top of the order had six of its eight base hits. Katie Fodge got the win in relief while Davies threw a two-inning save.
The Silverswords will face defending West Region champion and national Division II runner-up Western Washington University in their final non-conference doubleheader this Friday at 12 p.m.
