The YoungBloodz, a local men’s softball club, took part in the ASA state tournament this past weekend on Oahu. The team, which plays in a local open league, was one of 42 total teams in the three-day double-elimination event. Twenty
The YoungBloodz, a local men’s softball club, took part in the ASA state tournament this past weekend on Oahu.
The team, which plays in a local open league, was one of 42 total teams in the three-day double-elimination event. Twenty teams comprised the bracket in which the YoungBloodz competed in.
“We played played games from 3 o’clock to 7 o’clock — five straight hours,” said team head coach Caesar Duarte over the phone Tuesday.
The Kauai team made its way to the bracket’s championship game and faced Steady Pressure of Oahu on Sunday.
They were up, 9-6, in the top of the seventh when the YoungBloodz came back to tie it. The rally, however, came up short as Steady Pressure knocked a walk-off hit to win the game, 10-9.
“The bottom of the seventh, we had them with two outs and one (runner) on third,” Duarte said. “The hitter hit one in the gap between short and third. The third baseman dived for the ball and threw the ball to first.”
The batter beat the throw, so the runner from third scored the winning run.
Despite finishing a run short, Duarte said he and the team enjoyed the tournament.
“The tournament was awesome. My boys are really interested in playing next year,” he said. “If you win this tournament, you get a berth to play in a California ASA tournament.”
“Looking forward to next year. I think we’ll bring it home next year,” Duarte added.