HONOLULU – The Hawai'i Pacific University opened the 2021 season on a sour-note as cross-town rival Chaminade swept a doubleheader 8-2 and 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at Howard A. Okita Field.
 
The Sharks fell to 0-2 on the season as the Silverswords climbed to 2-0.
 
In game one, HPU took to the board first with a single run in the second inning. Junior Ashley Iseri of Cerritos, Calif./Whitney reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on wild pitch. She scored on a fielding error by Chaminade to make it 1-0.
 
After a scoreless third, Chaminade tacked on 5 runs in the fourth frame with 4 hits and two errors by HPU fielders making it 5-1.
 
The Sharks were able to add another run in the fifth with junior Noel "Tita" Saunders of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Pearl City tallying a base hit. She was brought home by freshman Cherise Horita of Aiea, Hawai'i/Kalani who tallied her first career triple to left center off the back wall making it 5-2.
 
Unfortunately for HPU, first game mishaps led to the Silverswords adding three additional runs to their lead in the final frame on two additional Shark errors ending the game 8-2.
 
HPU's junior righty Malia Torres of Danville, Calif./Monte Vista pitched all seven innings giving up eight runs (three earned) on nine hits with two walks and a pair of strikeouts. She took the first loss of the season going to 0-1.
 
Chaminade's Madelyn Stockslager threw all seven innings as well allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with 11 strikeouts and three walks for her first win.
 
Game two started off with the Silverswords striking first in frame one on a walk and two base hits. They tallied an additional run in the fourth with a hit followed by a walk and a single to bring the runner home for a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Sharks retaliated in the fourth inning with a base hit from senior Cieana Curran of Pearl City, Hawai'i/Campbell. Iseri sacrificed her to second and then reached first as CUH's catcher overthrew. Both Curran and Iseri scored on a pinch hit triple over the right fielder by sophomore Poliahu Aina of Kailua Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama tying the game at two apiece.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Sharks took the lead as Kanoe Tanigawa of Mililani, Hawai'i/Maryknoll was walked, sacrificed to second by Mary Dungey of Las Vegas, Nev./Silverado, and advanced to third on a failed double play attempt at second. Curran grabbed an RBI with her base hit to center field, and with a steal to second, she scored on a double down the left line by freshman Ryen Hawkins of Kennewick, Wash./Kennewick. The Sharks loaded the bases but couldn't bring any additional runs in making it 4-2 after five.
 
The Silverswords weren't done as they added on four runs in the sixth on two doubles giving them a 6-4 lead late.
 
A lead-off double in the sixth by sophomore Brandi Leong of Wahiawa, Hawai'i/Leilehua followed by a stolen third base set up a sacrifice fly score from Tanigawa bringing the Sharks within one. It wasn't quite enough as Chaminade sealed the deal in the seventh with an additional run on two hits finalizing it at 7-5.
 
The Shark's junior lefty Megan Wilson of Santa Clarita, Calif./West Ranch (Canyons CC) pitched five and two thirds frames giving up six earned runs on 12 hits and three walks. She picked up the loss going to 0-1 on the season. Torres came back for more in the second game finishing the final one and one and one third inning giving up an earned run on two hits.
 
Chaminade's Taylor Genera threw four and one thirds innings allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks. She also tallied four strikeouts but wasn't the pitcher of record. Stockslager came back for the final two and two thirds innings to grab the win as well as an additional strikeout.
 
The Sharks head to the Big Island to face Hawai'i Hilo next weekend in doubleheader match ups on Saturday and Sunday. The twinbills are scheduled for noon each day.