Hawai'i
Chalmers Tosses Four-Hitter, but Cal Poly Drops Series Opener at Hawai'i
4/6/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HONOLULU, O'ahu – Senior righthander Lindsey Chalmers (above) tossed a complete-game, four-hitter, but an unearned run from Hawai'i in the bottom of the fifth inning stood as the difference Friday evening as the Cal Poly softball program dropped the series opener at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, 1-0.
Chalmers (12-6) opened Friday's matchup by allowing a leadoff single to Hawai'i center fielder Danielle Garcielita before setting down nine of the next 10 Rainbow Wahine hitters.
Meanwhile, Hawai'i starting righthander Dana Thomsen (10-10) retired the first 10 Mustangs she faced until freshman left fielder Noellah Ramos singled with one down in the top of the fourth. Senior third baseman Stephanie Heyward followed with a bunt single. A fielder's choice from sophomore first baseman Hailey Martin forced Heyward out at second, but placed Mustangs at the corners bases. Junior right fielder Crimson Kaiser, however, flew out to cancel the threat.
Hawai'i (17-16, 1-3) then returned in the bottom half of the fourth to push across the game's only run. With two runners on and two down as the result of a Cal Poly throwing error, it was right fielder Chardonnay Pantastico who broke the stalemate with a double to right center that scored pinch runner Courtney Hiruko.
Cal Poly's best opportunity to equalize came in the top of the sixth inning with senior shortstop Chelsea Convissar and Ramos stringing together successive one-out singles. Heyward, however, flew out and Martin grounded out as Thomsen preserved Hawai'i's 1-0 lead.
Chalmers, who threw only 65 pitches, walked just one (intentionally).
Cal Poly (17-16, 1-3) and Hawai'i conclude the three-game series with a 5 p.m. PT (2 p.m. HT) doubleheader on Saturday, April 7.
