Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Sports > New Season, New Hope

New Season, New Hope

Ashlee Duenas, Editor

Brigham Young and Hawaii Pacific universities have the two strongest softball clubs in the Division II Pacific West Conference.

Chaminade, on the other hand, has a record of being trampled under its opponents’ cleats.

Last season they went 5-16 in the conference, and the season before that was even worse. This season, with a brand new infield, Coach Kent Yamaguchi has high hopes to improve their record and build a stronger program.

Having graduated his entire infield, save the catcher and the pitcher, Coach Yamaguchi has had to fit his team to the diamond like pieces in a giant jigsaw puzzle.

“I try to stress the journey, focus on the everyday things,” said Coach Yamaguchi about his goals for this season. “Our ultimate goal is to be better every day.”

The Lady Silverswords have welcomed several new players to the field. Among them are Dawn Dela Cruz, from Moanalua High School, and Shalin “Anuhea” Yamaguchi, from James Campbell High School. Anuhea Yamaguchi will be playing at shortstop and catcher, and will be a big help for the Silversword defense. Dela Cruz, on the other hand, will be a big boost for Chaminade’s sub-standard offense.

Another offensive hopeful is Angelica “Angel” Mahaulu. Having red-shirted her first year at Chaminade, Mahaulu comes off the bench swinging, her bat, that is.

“After having to watch for an entire season, she [Mahaulu] is hungry for some playing time,” said red-shirt freshman Marlene Brandon.

When asked about the challenges the team will face, Coach Yamaguchi said, “Offense. We need our bats to wake up.”

Sophomore Erin Keelan explained, “We are a young team and we need to build chemistry. We need to be eye to eye with each other while we’re on the field.”

Their season-opener was played on Feb. 4. Although the Lady Swords lost to the Azusa Pacific Cougars, they played a couple of good innings toward the end. The rally began after an amazing pick-off between the catcher, “Anu” Yamaguchi, and second baseman Keli-Grace “KG” Saniatan, in the top of the fourth.

The next couple of innings sparked a fire in the Swords offense; there just wasn’t enough time. The game ended with the Lady Cougars scoring nine runs and the Lady Silverswords scoring four.

“I’m really happy with the way they played. We were down six or seven runs, but they didn’t give up. They fought back and stayed in the game. I’m proud of the girls, “ said Coach Yamaguchi.