HONOLULU – The Chaminade University baseball team concluded their four-game series against Vanguard University on Monday with a 3-2 win at Dean Harvey Field.
For the second time in the series, the Silverswords tossed a two-hitter in upping their record to 9-31 overall and 7-27 in the Pacific West Conference. The Lions fell to 11-27 and 8-24 in the conference.
Ryan Shimabukuro (El Cerrito, Calif./College of Marin/Saint Mary's College HS), making his third start of the season,
Ryan Kepple (Dana Point, Calif./Saddleback College/Capistrano Valley Christian HS) and
Jacob Petersen (Sammamish, Wash./Everett CC/Skyline HS) combined to shut down the Vanguard bats and help the 'Swords forge a series split.
Trysten Mooney (Helena, Mont./Wenatchee Valley College/Capital HS) drove in two runs while
Chris Mata (Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i/South Mountain CC/Maui HS) had another.
Aydan Lobetos (Ewa Beach, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama) had two of Chaminade's seven hits in the game.
Chaminade got all the runs they needed in the top of the third inning. The first four 'Swords reached base with Mata doubling in
Alex Greb (Seattle/Wenatchee Valley College/Ballard HS) for the game's first run. Mooney followed with a two-run single.
A pair of CUH errors in the fourth paved the way for two unearned Lions runs. But behind Kepple, the southpaw retired 10 straight before issuing two walks. Petersen entered with one out in the eighth and promptly got two straight outs before tossing a perfect ninth to perverse the win.
Shimabukuro went the first 3 1/3 innings, allowing the only two hits, both by catcher Angel Perez. Kepple and Petersen combined for the final 5 2/3 hitless innings while the duo earned their first win and save, respectively. Kepple went four innings with five strikeouts while Petersen, who made three relief appearances in the series, retired all 12 Lions he faced.
Jake Hiner went all nine innings for Vanguard in taking the loss, throwing 120 pitches.
The Silverswords will be at Biola for a doubleheader on Friday, the start of their final road series of the season. First pitch is at 9 a.m. Hawai'i time.
