WAIMEA — Three times is a charm for the Central Coast Heat, which earned its very first victory in three Hawai‘i visits, yesterday over a mixed Kaua‘i squad, 3-0 at Waimea Canyon Ballpark. “We’ve never won in the three years
WAIMEA — Three times is a charm for the Central Coast Heat, which earned its very first victory in three Hawai‘i visits, yesterday over a mixed Kaua‘i squad, 3-0 at Waimea Canyon Ballpark.
“We’ve never won in the three years coming to Hawai‘i since (yesterday),” Heat head coach Jeff Goldenberg said.
Kim Dauer and Sophia Beltran combined for the complete game shutout and Kaua‘i’s Cassie Koerte suffered the loss despite pitching a solid game.
The Pismo Beach, Calif. squad picked up a key hit from Chloe Goldenberg.
“We’ve been cracking the whip too much,” Central Coast assistant coach Rick Johnson said. “We’re just trying to get them to relax.”
The Garden Isle squad, which is primarily made up of Kapa‘a and Waimea players, couldn’t put together a complete inning.
But Central Coast didn’t help by playing solid defense throughout the contest.
In the latter part of the game, Heat second baseman Breanna Hammerland converted on an unassisted double play and flashed some glove with a couple of nice infield catches.
“She played solid out there,” Johnson said.
After the win, the Heat coaches admitted they’ll take a break to celebrate the big victory.
“The adults will have Mai Tais and the girls will have Shirley Temples,” Johnson said.
Kaua‘i’s top hitter, Shana Tafiti, was held in check throughout the game. Tafiti, a top-notch Waimea player, could only muster one hit.
Rory Rayno and Shelly Samio coaches the mixed Kaua‘i squad.
In other games from yesterday, Pacific Coast upended Central Coast, 8-2; Pacific Coast trounced Kapa‘a, 12-0; Tustin Thunderbirds eclipsed Colorado, 6-2; Kapolei edged West Kaua‘i (U14), 6-4; Kapolei slammed West Kaua‘i (U12), 11-2 and Kapolei snuck by Colorado, 8-5. Championship games for all divisions get underway today, 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.
