WAIPAHU, O'ahu, Hawai'i – Coming off Monday's eye-opening upset over Division I Wichita State, the Chaminade University baseball team returned to Pacific West Conference action on Saturday, opening a four-game series against Concordia University Irvine.
Unfortunately, the Silverswords were unable to replicate their Monday magic, falling 8-1 to the Golden Eagles at the Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park Baseball Complex.
Although they were able to muster just four hits, Chaminade pitching was able to record 10 strikeouts, their second-highest total of the season.
CUI was able to strike quickly, plating five runs in the first inning although the 'Swords' bullpen held the Golden Eagles without a run until the sixth.
Zion Palea (Hilo, Hawai'i/Hilo) was a key factor, entering in the second and threw four hitless innings with four Ks.
Neville Till (Maple Valley, Wash./Tahoma), Chaminade's third reliever, also struck out four in two innings of work.
Jake Harper (San Pedro, Calif./El Camino College/San Pedro HS) got Chaminade's first hit with a single to lead off the fourth.
Alex Greb (Seattle/Wenatchee Valley College/Ballard HS) and
Jackson Dorn (Happy Valley, Ore./Mt. Hood CC/Clackamas HS) followed with singles of their own with Greb scoring Chaminade's lone run on a wild pitch.
Anthony O'Canas (Woodland, Calif./American River College/Woodland HS) was charged with the loss. His CUI counterpart, Jake Covey went eight innings with 12 strikeouts to earn the win.
The Silverswords and Golden Eagles will play Games 2 and 3 in a Sunday doubleheader, both games being seven innings. First pitch of the twin bill is at 3 p.m. at Central O'ahu Regional Park.
