WAIMEA — Softball is probably the only sport where you’ll get away with wearing pink socks. And the Predators, an 18-and-under softball team from Thousand Oaks, Calif., took the award for best socks, as well as a first day win
WAIMEA — Softball is probably the only sport where you’ll get away with wearing pink socks.
And the Predators, an 18-and-under softball team from Thousand Oaks, Calif., took the award for best socks, as well as a first day win against another Golden State team, the Central Coast Heat of Pismo Beach.
“Our city is actually more known for being featured in a Bugs Bunny cartoon,” a Heat coach said after suffering an 8-0 loss to the Predators.
The sounds of the Kaua‘i Fantasy Softball Tournament filled the hot summer air yesterday for the opening contests of the event, which featured teams from California, O‘ahu, Colorado, Maui and Kaua‘i.
Ishihara Market, a favorite on the Westside, showed signs of impact from the annual event.
The tournament runs through Saturday, with games throughout the day at the Waimea Canyon Ballpark.
In first day action, Mikayla Paulson fired away on the mound for the Predator victory, which was shortened to five innings because of time limitations.
Jessie Hofius (2-2, 2 RBI) and Lacey Zepeda (2B, 2 RBI) stood out at the plate for the Thousand Oaks team.
Kim Dauer suffered the defeat for Central Coast.
In an all-island matchup, West Kaua‘i edged Kaua‘i Kine, 13-9.
West Kaua‘i, a 14-and-under squad, utilized a balanced attack at the plate for the victory over the 12-and-under team.
Chauncy Guillermo took the win on the mound for West Kaua‘i.
Ona DeFabian (1-2) and Tootie Kaneholani (1-1) led West Kaua‘i at the plate, who scored most of its runs on walks.
Makana Fujimoto (1-1), Ulu Matagiese (2-3) and Ka‘a La‘amea (2-2) rose to the occasion for Kaua‘i Kine.
In the day’s first game, Colorado slapped around Kupa‘a (Maui), 10-3.
Catching more than
just some sun
The hot Westside sun brought out 2006 Minnesota Twins draftee Isaac Castillo and his closest friends for the softball games.
Castillo, a 2006 Waimea High School graduate, will be heading off to Cuesta College Junior College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. on Aug. 12.
Like 2005 Kaua‘i High School graduate Kirby Yates, Castillo will be a draft-and-follow type of player, a common occurrence for late round draft picks.
Championship games for all divisions will take place tomorrow, with the 14-and-under bracket’s first pitch at 1:30 p.m., followed by the 12-and-under bracket at 3 p.m. The 16-18 bracket championship will play at 1:30 p.m., with the option for a playoff at 3 p.m.
There is no admission fee for spectators.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
