ATHERTON, Calif. – The Chaminade University softball team opened the third series of their northern California on Friday, dropping a 5-4 decision to Menlo College at Wunderlich Field.
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei) and
Desiree Bravo (Corona, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Centennial HS) both went 3-for-4 for the Silverswords. Tuifao had a triple and home run while all three of Bravo's hits were for extra bases including two triples.
Chaminade is 4-30 on the season and 3-15 in the Pacific West Conference while Menlo, a first-year PacWest member, is 4-20 and 3-10 in the conference.
The 'Swords had chances to strike early loading the bases with one out in the second inning then had two runners in scoring position in the third. But in both instances, could not get plate a run.
Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Oaks' centerfielder Lucy Brooks made a diving attempt at
Taryn Fujioka's (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City) sinking liner. The ball landed under Brooks' mitt and rolled all the way to the fence, allowing
Elora Tonaki (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i Technology Academy) to scamper home all the way from first and putting Fujioka at third, the senior's 21st career triple which extended her school record. It also extended her hitting streak to nine straight.
In the fifth, Tuifao launched a moonshot over the fence in left, giving CUH a 2-1 lead, the third homer of the season for the senior catcher and the 11th long ball of her career, tying her with Jenn Betian for fifth in program history.
But Menlo answered with three runs in its half of the fifth for a 4-2 lead. Chaminade got a run back in the sixth when
Vanessa Pena (Paramount, Calif./Paramount) dropped a Texas Leaguer into right field, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
The Oaks went up 5-3, getting a big insurance run in the sixth. In the seventh, Tuifao got a sun-aided triple when right fielder Aliya Lubrin, who entered the inning as a defensive replacement, lost the ball in the glare. Three batters later, Bravo curled a ball that landed down the right field line which eluded Lubrin and rolled in the corner, scoring Tuifao to bring the 'Swords within a run and putting Bravo at third, just 60 feet away as the tying run. However, they were unable to get the clutch hit to send the game to the bottom of the frame.
Both teams had nine hits in the game. However, Chaminade stranded 11 runners including seven in scoring position. Conversely, 'Swords pitching helped keep seven Oaks runners on base including five in scoring position. Starter
Ava Walker (Las Vegas/Faith Lutheran) went 4 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits while Peña took the loss.
Destanee Perez got the win for Menlo with the save going to Rosaline Torralva.
The Silverswords and Oaks will wrap up their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m. Hawai'i time.
