Little league Softball: Gold Coast Seniors fall to Montana at West Regionals

The run for the Gold Coast Seniors (13-16 years old) in the Little League Softball West Regionals ended on Monday in the opening round of tournament play. Allowing three runs in the first inning, Hawaii fell to Montana 4-2.

Playing in Missoula, in front of a home crowd, Montana took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first behind a single, two doubles and an error. Gold Coast tried to bounce back, scoring a run in the top of the second and the top of the third to cut the deficit to one.

In the second, Erin Kaimuloa Bates led off in the inning with a single to left. Kaila Tabiloa-Amaral followed with a triple. With a runner on third and no outs, Hawaii was in good position to pick up another run in the inning, but a groundball back to the pitcher forced a double play with Tabiloa-Amaral tagged out at the plate.

In the third, two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Taylor Tabucbuc, who singled to right to score Nanea Kaluau from third.

Gold Coast managed to outhit Montana 7-5, but could not force another run across the plate. Montana added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth.

Tabucbuc led the Hawaii offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sydney Nelson was the top hitter for Montana, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

Alison Eldridge picked up the victory inside the circle. She threw all seven innings, while striking out four and walking one. Tehani Epenesa received the loss. She allowed two earned runs, while striking out one and walking one.

The Gold Coast Majors (9-12 year olds) did not play on Monday in their West Regional tournament, which is being played in San Bernardino, California. The team will play in the second round of tournament play Tuesday after wrapping up pool play over the weekend.