HONOLULU – The 2025 season was a mixed bag for the Chaminade University softball team.
Despite having nearly a new team because of a slew of personnel losses due to graduation, the Silverswords were confident they could qualify for the four-team Pacific West Conference Tournament at the end of the season. However, those expectations were dashed early.
A slow start in the non-conference carried over into the PacWest slate, resulting in a nine-win season for the 'Swords.
Still, the youthful Silverswords were competitive with 23 games decided by two runs or less, winning six of them. Among the highlights were wins over eventual-NCAA West Region participant San Francisco State, perennial PacWest power CUI and a series split against in-city rival Hawai'i Pacific University.
The high hopes were due to an experienced pitching staff that posted a 2.86 ERA in 2024. But with early struggles, the 'Swords' ERA swelled to 5.37, although there was marked improvement in the final three weeks of the season. In her final five starts of the season,
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) had a 2.06 ERA including a brilliant complete-game one-hitter at Academy of Art on March 25 where she faced just one above the minimum.
While the Silverswords had to replace four infielders, the only mainstay was shortstop
Taryn Fujioka (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Pearl City), who concluded her career as one of the most decorated players in program history. The 2024 PacWest Player of the Year hit .353 in her final season to earn all-conference honors for the third time. She departed as the program's career leader in hits, runs, triples and walks.
Replacing all-region catcher
Keaolani Takemura-Brehme fell into the mitt of
Larchelle Tuifao (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kapolei), who made her living as the team's designated player the previous three years. The senior still excelled in her final season with a .359 batting average, 28 RBI and six home runs, all of which led the team.
Gabriella Schneider (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma) got the call in 14 of the 15 games that Tuifao did not start.
Summer Buck (Honolulu/Kaiser) had a breakout year, hitting .284 with 14 RBI. The converted outfielder moved to third base for the final eight games of the season and had several Gold Glove-like plays at the hot corner.
Miranda Diaz (Whittier, Calif./Cerritos College/California HS) hit .264 with 41 starts at third.
Elora Tonaki (Kapolei, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hawai'i Technology Academy) got 18 starts at second base but after suffering a season-ending injury in northern California,
Mimi Smith (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union) took over the reins with the majority of starts at the keystone.
With the departure of five-year starter
Kobe Brown, the 'Swords used five different starters at first base, the majority by freshman
Taneia Simanu (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Mililani), whose name appeared in the lineup card 27 times. Tuifao made nine starts at first while
Lex Lopez (Visalia, Calif./Redwood) and
SoSo Hayes (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar) combined for 14.
In the outfield, senior
Desiree Bravo (Corona, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College/Centennial HS) wrapped up her two-year CUH career by hitting .276 and recorded 14 outfield assists. Utility player Vanessa Peña (Paramount, Calif./Paramount) not only got 30 combined starts in all three outfield spots, she also made nine pitching appearances and got a pair of wins in the circle.
Isabel Rodriguez (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) made 29 starts in left field while freshman
Alena Frost (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Castle) had eight.
The season was also the last for senior
Bailey Jacobsen (Buena Park, Calif./Cypress) who, despite suffering an injury that cost her nearly half the season, made 24 starts at the designated player spot and hit a robust .333 with six extra base hits and seven RBI.
