IRVINE, Calif. – The Chaminade University softball team concluded their four-game Pacific West Conference series on Saturday with 6-0 and 10-0 defeats to nationally ranked Concordia University Irvine at Golden Eagles Softball Field.
The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 22 in the NFCA Division II Coaches Poll, posted crooked numbers in one inning of both games – four in the sixth inning in the first, six in the first in the second – to help them sweep the series.
The Silverswords fell to 6-21 and 5-13 in the PacWest while CUI improved to 33-11 and a conference-leading 23-5.
Game 1: CUI 6, CUH 0
Chaminade was able to get seven hits but could not group them together. The 'Swords had single base knocks in all seven frames and had runners in scoring position in three of those innings.
Silverswords starter
Bailey Benson (Cheney, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory) scattered five hits in the first five innings, including a two-run homer in the first. But the senior was touched for four runs in the sixth to help CUI pull away.
Gabriella Schneider (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma) and
Carisma Ta'amai (Oroville, Calif./Pleasant Valley) each had two hits with Schneider's double in the third was Chaminade's only extra base hit. Benson went 5 2/3 innings to take the loss.
Kira Morris earned the win for the Golden Eagles while Jayden Nishi got a two-out save.
Game 2: CUI 10, CUH 0 (6 inn.)
The final inning of the matinee seemed to immediately carry over to the nightcap as Concordia posted six runs in the first, five via home runs.
In the bottom of the sixth, CUI had a three-run homer which helped end the game via the run-rule.
The 'Swords were held to three hits, two from
Summer Buck (Honolulu/Kaiser). The conference's leading hitter, who was held without a hit in the first three games of the series, got back on track with a single in the second and her PacWest-leading 15th double of the season in the fifth.
Kayden Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial) took the loss while older sister
Kamryn Lopez (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial) had five innings of relief.
Kailey Estes got the complete-game win for the Golden Eagles.
The Silverswords return to action Tuesday to begin a four-game series at Biola University. First pitch is scheduled for noon Hawai'i time.
