The Gold Coast Major (9-12 year olds) and Senior (13-16 years old) squads both continued tournament play on Saturday with mixed results.
In the Little League Softball Majors West Regional in San Bernardino, California, the Big Island-based squad was defeated by Washington 11-3.
The game was closer than the final score indicated. After falling down 5-0 by the third inning, Gold Coast cut the deficit to two runs by the fifth. The Hawaii team scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth when two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Sunny Akua, who singled to center for an RBI.
Gold Coast picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Kyana Brucelas tripled to right. Mia Agustin then singled to right, scoring the runner. Agustin then came around to score on a Anela Spencer single to right.
However, Washington put the game away in the sixth inning with six runs.
Agustin took the loss inside the circle. She threw five innings, allowing eight runs, six earned, off seven hits. She struck out four and walked three.
Offensively, Hawaii was led by Spencer, who picked up two hits.
Washington was led at the plate by Marcie Dean, who went 3-for-4 with a run and three RBIs. Simone Williams picked up the victory. She allowed three earned off seven hits, striking out 10 and walking two.
The Hawaii Majors will now wait for pool play to wrap up Sunday to get their seeding for tournament play.
To the north in Missoula, Montana, the Gold Coast Seniors went 1-2 on the second day of the Little League Softball Seniors League West Regional. Hawaii opened the day with a 10-1 loss to Oregon before rebounding to crush Wyoming 21-2. However, Gold Coast fell to Southern California in the final game of the day, 5-0.
Against Oregon, Hawaii was held to only two hits, a double by Jamiana Tan and a single by Kierra Molina. Janell Kilborn led Oregon with four hits and three RBIs.
Gold Coast’s Erin Kaimuloa Bates took the loss inside the circle. She threw all seven innings, allowing 11 runs, five earned, off 15 hits.
Kilborn picked up the victory, allowing one earned run. She struck out 13 and walked three.
Hawaii had much better luck against Wyoming. The Gold Coast squad put their opponent away early with 10 runs in the opening frame.
Andi Uemura led the offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs and five RBIs. Lisan Mudong. Pililai Kaai and Telsea Taketa had two hits apiece. Taylor Tabucbuc added a home run.
Uemura started the game and picked up the victory. She allowed two runs, both earned, off two hits. She struck out three and walked one.
In the final game of the day, Gold Coast was held to only three hits, two of which came off the bat of Nathasa Molina. Tabucbuc picked up the third hit.
Tehani Epenesa took the loss for Hawaii. Over seven innings, she allowed five runs, four earned, off 10 hits. She struck out one and walked three.
The Hawaii Seniors will continue regional play Sunday with games against North California (5:15 a.m.), ZooTown (10 a.m.) and Montana (12:45 p.m.)
