Kamalani Dung

Last updated

Xeana Kamalani Dung
Personal information
Birth nameXeana Kamalani Dung
NicknameKama
National teamPuerto Rican Women's Softball National Team
Born Waianae, Hawaii, United States
Alma mater UC Berkeley
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
SpouseN/A
Sport
Sport Softball
Position Pitcher
University team California Golden Bears, Fresno State Bulldogs
League Athletes Unlimited Softball League
Achievements and titles
World finals2020 Tokyo Olympic Qualifiers, World Games, 2x World Cup, Canada Cup, World Championships
Highest world ranking WBSC (PUR) #2
Personal best(s)Top 20 Names in College Softball, MW Conference Pitcher of the Year, MW Conference Season Record Holder Strikeouts
Medal record
Women's softball
Representing Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Barranquilla Team competition
Pan American Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2019 Lima Team competition

Xeana Kamalani Dung (born March 4, 1997), also known as "Kama Dung", is an American, right-handed softball pitcher, model, actress, and philanthropist [1] from Waianae, Hawaii. She is a gold medalist and is known as the first professional softball pitcher from Hawaii. [2] Dung is currently a professional softball player who pitches on the Puerto Rican national softball team and in the Athletes Unlimited Softball league. [3] She has competed in a number of international tournaments and has gained a large following as an international and collegiate athlete. Dung was the former starting pitcher for the Fresno State Bulldogs and California Golden Bears.

Contents

Personal life and early education

Born and raised in Waianae, Hawaii. Her parents are Honey Rodrigues and Lance Dung. Her younger brother is Lancen Dung. She is of Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, and Chinese descent. [4]

Dung attended Kamehameha Schools.

Dung started playing competitive softball in Hawaii around the age of 10. [5] She is a self-taught pitcher who learned to throw pitches unconventionally from YouTube. [6] Called the 'YouTube' pitcher after coaches learning that she had no prior professional pitching lessons. [5]

High school

Dung was a four-year varsity starter and captain at Kamehameha Kapalama High School. [7] A four-year varsity athlete at Kamehameha-Kapalama High School in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Dung logged an ERA of 0.82 with 86 strikeouts, seven shutouts and an 11–1 record during her senior campaign. Dung led the team as ace pitcher and captain and acquired three Division I conference championships. Dung led the state in strikeouts and ERA, and paced the league in batting average and doubles. Additionally, she competed for the travel ball teams Mizuno/OC Batbusters and Mililani Prep- Hawai’i. [8]

Dung signed to the Fresno State university. [5]

Fresno State

Dung majored in business administration. [7]

Freshman

Dung made a debut as a D1 collegiate athlete in the NCAA on October 22, 2015, in an exhibition game against the professional team USSSA Pride at the Margie Wright Diamond. [9]

In the 2016 season Dung went on to become one of the two starting pitchers as a freshman and helped her team to a Mountain West conference Championship, while being a part of one of the most dominant teams in MW history. That year Fresno State was ranked 17 in RPI and had a nation-leading 23-game win streak that set a new school record. [10] Dung was undefeated in conference play and recorded her first regional appearance and save.

Sophomore

In 2017, Dung earned the All-Region Third Team. The prestigious Mountain West Pitcher of the Year award. [11] All-MW 1st Team. MW Pitcher of the Week in back-to-back weeks (May 2 & May 9). [12] Dung currently holds the All-Time Mountain West Conference record for most Batters Struck Out by a sophomore in a single season with 99. [13] She also ranks top 5 in All-Time MW Games Pitched in a single-season with 13, [13] and Games started in a single-season with 17. [13]

After throwing back-to-back shutouts against Indiana and Purdue during the first two games of the 2017 season, Dung was named ace of the Bulldog's squad since day one as a sophomore and helped Fresno State to their then No. 21 ranking. She later went on to pace national stats and lead the Mountain West in every major pitching category. Dung went 25–13 with a 2.17 ERA, allowed opposing hitters a .216 average, with 202 strikeouts in 238.1 innings and pitched 8 shutouts that season. [14]

Dung earned a spot on the 2017 Puerto Vallarta College Challenge All-Tournament Team after going 2–2 with a 2.90 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 19.1 innings, throwing the only no-hitter of the tournament and the first no-hitter of her career. She appeared in 44 games, including 38 starts. She threw 31 complete games, including a MW-best nine shutouts, and went 26–15 with 218 strikeouts in 254.1 innings. [15]

University of California, Berkeley

Dung transferred in 2017 to UC Berkeley. [16] Dung majored in sociology. [17]

Junior

As a junior, Dung made her debut in the Pac-12 Conference for Cal. The Cal Golden Bears were highest ranked no.15 that year.

Dung quickly found her place as an ace pitcher during her first season with the bears. She made 33 appearances with 27 starts and ranked through the top 10 in all major pitching categories in the PAC 12: ERA (1.96), wins (19), batters struck out (186), innings pitched (160.2), opposing batting average (.181). [18] She struck out a career-best 15 batters against Fordham. Dung also threw the first perfect game for the Golden Bears in almost a decade, being the first perfect game since 2010, and the first perfect game of her career, during her first collegiate appearance in Hawaii while striking out 12 against UTEP in March. [16] She was nominated Most Valuable Pitcher on the Malihini Kipa Aloha All-Tournament Team after playing the University of Hawaii. [19]

Senior

Despite pitching with injury for the first half of her senior year, [20] for her final season, Dung was selected to the NFCA All-Region Third Team for the second time in her career. [21] She also earned All-Conference honors being selected to the All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team. [22] Softball America Top Softball Performances of the Week. [23] Ranked 10 in Top 25 Names in College Softball. [24] Dung was predicted to be drafted to the Aussie Peppers of Mankato, Minnesota by FloSoftball. [25]

She led the Golden Bears to their first top 25 wins since 2017 against No.21 James Madison University and also silenced one of the nations best offenses at the time by pitching a one-hitter through the first 5 innings in the Bears' upset against the No. 22 Arizona State Sun Devils. [26] Dung gave Cal its first top 5 win of the last few years as she pitched a gem shutting out the No.5/No.1 Arizona Wildcats for the first time since 2012, ending the Wildcats 21-game winning streak with one of the most potent home run hitting lineups in the nation. [27] In March Dung pitched a complete game against No.1 and eventual WCWS Champions UCLA allowing no earned runs and four hits. [28] Dung collected the Bears' win against OSU allowing one run and four strikeouts in 5 innings. [29] On February 22 Dung struck out 12 batters and allowed only two hits in a vital 1–0 victory over Duke University. [30] [31] - earning her national recognition as one of the top 9 performances in softball for that week. [23]

Professional and international career

In 2020, Dung drafted to play professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch with Los Angeles based California Commotion and the Chicago based Athletes Unlimited Softball league. Dung has also played for the city of Juncos in 2018 for the Puerto Rican Higher League. [32]

Puerto Rican National Team

2018

Because Dung is partially Puerto Rican, she was invited to try out for the 2018 Puerto Rico Women's National Softball Team. [33] Dung was recorded on the roster for the 2018 U.S. International Cup, [34] 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and the 2018 Women's Softball World Championship Tournament. Dung struck out eight in a 1-hit shutout during Puerto Rico's victory over South Africa in the World Championships in August. [35] At the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, the Puerto Rican Women's National Softball Team took home the gold medal for the first time in over 20 years. [18]

2019

Dung was selected to the roster for the 2019 World Cup of Softball, [36] 2019 Canada Cup, [37] 2019 Pan American Games,[ citation needed ] and 2019 Tokyo 2020 Americas Olympic Qualifier. [38] In the 2019 World Cup Dung collected 3 of the team's 4 wins against Philippines, Chinese Taipei, and No.5 Mexico. [39] Dung and Puerto Rico won the bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. [40] Competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifier in Surrey, Canada where she led the tournament in wins, collecting 3 of the team's 5 wins. Led her team with 18 strikeouts in 8.2 innings which also ranked in the top 5 of the tournament, and also held a 0.81 ERA. [41]

2020

Dung was drafted to the inaugural roster of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, with 10 game appearances and 2 starts. Dung was highlighted as a rookie to watch.

2022

In 2022, Kamalani Dung participated in the 2022 World Games as a member of the Puerto Rico Women's National Softball Team. The right-handed pitcher and was a key part of the team's efforts at the games held in Birmingham, Alabama. Dung also played professionally with Athletes Unlimited in their AUX Softball Season.

Dung currently plays professionally in the United States for the Athletes Unlimited Professional Sports League. [42]

Media & Awards

Media & Fashion

Starting in 2020, Dung was featured in talk show interviews and national podcasts [43] highlighting her sports career, heartwarming story, and her businesses.

In 2020, Dung was one of two featured athletes in the Athletes Unlimited "Going Pro Series," spotlighting the inaugural season of the professional softball league. Broadcast on YouTube and ESPN. [44]

In 2022, Kamalani Dung attended the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, showcasing a striking ensemble by Project Runway designer Kini Zamora. [45]

In 2021, Dung made her first appearance as an ESPN Sports Analyst. Dung was offered full time roles as a TV Host but turned them down to pursue her businesses and foundation. [46]

Dung's 2022 mini-documentary was created by Toyota and featured Dung as the star of the series that aired on TV and Youtube highlighting notable people of Hawaii. Through this series, she shares how she overcame adversity, embraced her community, and now gives back—playing “for the underserved” and inspiring future generations. [47]

In 2023, Dung walked a number of runways including New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland, New Zealand [48] and Hawaii Swim Week in Hilo, Hawaii. [49]

Dung is credited for her on screen role as “Napua” in the 2024 “Who’s That Girl?” award winning music video. [50]

Impact Awards & Appearances

Dung was presented with an honorary certificate at Honolulu Hale in November 2022, acknowledging her outstanding achievements on the softball field and her role as Hawaiʻi’s first professional softball pitcher in any active pro softball league. [51]

In 2020, Dung joined Feeding America's Hawaii Food Bank as an Ambassador. Using her platform on ESPN and YouTube to spotlight food insecurity in Hawai‘i. Kamalani’s journey—from experiencing hunger to helping feed her community—came full circle, helping raise crucial funds during the pandemic through matched donations tied to her athletic performance.

In 2021, Dung was a panelist for the International Women's Day webinar, sharing her experience in athlete branding, viral marketing, and college NIL, she joined a lineup of women sports leaders and Forbes 30 under 30 honorees to discuss strategies brands can leverage when partnering with female athletes. [52]

In 2022, Dung was highlighted with a Midweek Magazine Cover Feature for her "Pitcher Perfect" story [53] highlighting her crossover appeal between sports, fashion, and culture.

Keynote speaker for 2023 Global CreativeMornings Community in Honolulu, HI – Presented on the topic of “Indurance” to a full chapter of Honolulu’s creative leaders, sharing her journey from Waianae to global influence. [54]

In 2023, Dung became a co-founder of the Professional Women's Softball Players Association (PWSPA). Focused on promoting the rights, well‑being, and professional development of women in pro softball. [55] In 2023, Dung partnered with brands and community organizations to tour across the Pacific, delivering motivational talks to high school and middle school assemblies. Her speaking series focused on themes of resilience, identity, and leadership—encouraging students to overcome barriers and forge their own paths. [56]

In 2024, Dung made an appearance playing in the Reggie Jackson Celebrity softball game [57] at the MLB Oakland A's Coliseum in Oakland, CA. Dung hit a home run and played on team Rickey Henderson and Barry Bonds.

In 2024, Dung appeared as a featured speaker at the 10th Annual Young Women’s Prom Event, a community empowerment initiative event providing formal attire and mentorship to high school girls, helping set their prom confidence. Dung joined alongside other notable figures to share her story of overcoming adversity and inspiring young women in attendance. [58]

In 2024, Dung was honored with a national TOYA (Ten Outstanding Young Americans) award—one of the highest recognitions in the country for leaders under 40. She was recognized for her work as a professional athlete, entrepreneur, and trailblazer.

In 2025, Dung was featured as a public sports figure at the 2025 NBA All-Star Sports Illustrated and Draft Kings red carpets in San Francisco, CA. [59]

References

  1. ↑ "Hawaii's Kamalani Dung playing for 'the 99 percent'". KHON2. June 22, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  2. ↑ Mogeni, Rodah (January 20, 2022). "Is Kamalani Dung Shohei Ohtani's wife? All to know about the baseball pitcher". Briefly. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Athletes Unlimited". Athletes Unlimited. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. ↑ "ConleysCorner".
  5. 1 2 3 "Kamalani Dung: A way out, a way back and the family that holds her together". Fresno State Athletics.
  6. ↑ "Top Dog of the Week...with Kamalani Dung". The Collegian. February 27, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. 1 2 "Kamalani Dung - Softball". Fresno State Athletics.
  8. ↑ "Kamalani Dung - Softball". Fresno State Athletics. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  9. ↑ Anteola, Bryant-Joel (October 22, 2015). "USSSA Pride holds off Fresno State in softball exhibition". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  10. ↑ "2016, an unforgettable year for Bulldog softball". Fresno State Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Past All-Hawaii picks: Alo, Dung earn Softball America Top 100 honors". scoringlive.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  12. ↑ Edmondson, Cary. "3-for-3 weekend earns Fresno State's Kamalani Dung MW Pitcher of Week honor". fresnobee. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 "2018 Softball History (PDF) - Mountain West Conference" (PDF). themw.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Five Bulldogs named to All-Pacific Region teams". Fresno State Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  15. ↑ Hull, Billy (July 29, 2017). "HAWAII GROWN: Dung headed to Cal". www.hawaiiprepworld.com. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  16. 1 2 Simmons, By Rusty (March 6, 2019). "Cal's Kamalani Dung finds success after a childhood of poverty, homelessness - SFChronicle.com". San Francisco Chronicle.
  17. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/in/xeanakamalanidung/.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. 1 2 "Kamalani Dung - Softball". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Three Lancers Named to Malihini Kipa Aloha All-Tournament Team". Longwood University Athletics. March 5, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Cal's Kamalani Dung shares how rhythm and timing have helped her in senior season". Pac-12. May 4, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Rood and Dung Earn More Recognition". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Trio of Bears Earn Conference Honors". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  23. 1 2 Strong, Ed. "Top Performances From College Softball Friday, Feb. 22nd". www.softballamerica.com. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  24. ↑ Staff, S. A. "Ranking The Top 25 Names In College Softball In 2019". www.softballamerica.com. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  25. ↑ "2019 NPF Mock Draft". www.flosoftball.com. April 12, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Bears' Bats Balance Dung's Stuff in Game 2 Win". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Cal Forces Rubber Match in 1-0 Win Vs No. 5 Arizona". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Cal Drops Series to No. 1 UCLA". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Bears Bats Prevent Sweep Vs Beavers". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Dung Delivers Against Duke". University of California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Top Performances From College Softball Friday, Feb. 22nd". www.softballamerica.com. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  32. ↑ #RedArmy - ¡KAMALANI DUNG EN JUNCOS!... - Valencianas De Juncos Fastpitch | Facebook , retrieved July 31, 2019
  33. ↑ Caraballo, Harry Rodríguez. "La sexy lanzadora del equipo de sóftbol femenino de Puerto Rico". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Puerto Rico | Team Roster | Summer 2018 | Adult Softball". GameChanger.io. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Puerto Rico, Mexico earn wins behind strong pitching performances; Juarez and Escobedo no-hit Philippines". April 8, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Puerto Rico | Team Roster | Summer 2019 | Adult Softball". GameChanger.io. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Puerto Rico | Team Roster | Summer 2019 | Adult Softball". GameChanger.io. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Softball Americas Qualifier - The official site - WBSC". olympicsoftball.wbsc.org. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Mexico Summer 2019 at Puerto Rico Summer 2019|". gc.com. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Softball | Medals and Ranking Women Softball - Pan American Games Lima 2019". wrsd.lima2019.pe. Retrieved October 23, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  41. ↑ "Softball Americas Qualifier - The official site - WBSC". olympicsoftball.wbsc.org. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Kamalani Dung". Athletes Unlimited. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  43. ↑ Hawaiiverse (September 15, 2022). EP 43. Kamalani Dung: Breaking Barriers and Pitching Perfect Games . Retrieved July 15, 2025– via YouTube.
  44. ↑ Toyota Hawai‘i (July 12, 2023). Toyota Hawai‘i Stories: HOLOHOLO | Chapter 11 - Kamalani Dung . Retrieved July 15, 2025– via YouTube.
  45. ↑ Keller, Ginger (February 15, 2023). "Pitcher Perfect". MidWeek. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Kamalani Dung | The Twin Fin Hotel Waikiki". The Twin Fin Hotel Waikiki | Oceanfront In Waikiki Check In, Paddle Out. June 2, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  47. ↑ Toyota Hawai‘i (July 12, 2023). Toyota Hawai‘i Stories: HOLOHOLO | Chapter 11 - Kamalani Dung . Retrieved July 15, 2025– via YouTube.
  48. ↑ "New Zealand Fashion Week backs Pacific fashion in new deal - Ragtrader". www.ragtrader.com.au. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  49. ↑ Atkinson, Lisa (September 8, 2022). "Inaugural Hawai'i Swim Show was H-O-T!". Big Island Pulse. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Kamalani Dung | Actress". IMDb. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  51. ↑ Chinen, Kyle (November 3, 2022). "Hawaii's Kamalani Dung honored for her achievements on — and off — the field". www.hawaiinewsnow.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  52. ↑ OpenSponsorship.com. "Webinar: Athlete". learnmore.opensponsorship.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  53. ↑ Keller, Ginger (February 15, 2023). "Pitcher Perfect". MidWeek. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Kamalani Dung | Kamalani - Indurance | CreativeMornings/HNL". CreativeMornings. October 27, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Professional Women's Softball Players' Association". Professional Women's Softball Players' Association. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  56. ↑ Island News (January 10, 2023). Pro softball player Kamalani Dung visits Roosevelt High School to give empowering talk . Retrieved July 15, 2025– via YouTube.
  57. ↑ "Jackson hosts celeb softball game at Coliseum". Sports Business Journal. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  58. ↑ Burgos, Annalisa; Hurd, Lili (January 27, 2024). "Donations being accepted for 10th annual Young Women Prom Event aimed to empower youth". www.hawaiinewsnow.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  59. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
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