LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami celebrated two USA Softball Hawai‘i championships with Coach Kassie Wong and the 10 Under and 12 Under Kaua‘i Krush teams on Wednesday at the Mo‘ikeha Building.
Playing at the Patsy Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park during the three-day tournament, which wrapped up on May 26, the Kaua‘i Krush 10 U allowed just four runs through the entire tournament.
The Krush 10 U opened with a 12-0 win over Na Koa, and then defeated Cobras Black 8-0 in the second contest. The Krush repeated with a 16-0 over the Cobras Black before thumping Team Reign,19-0.
At that point, the Kaua‘i Krush had scored 55 runs while allowing no runs. During the championship game, the Kaua‘i Krush faced the Cobras Black and came away with a 13-4 win for the state championship in the A flight.
Coach Wong, who also heads the Kaua‘i Krush 12 U team, was joined by assistant coaches Kahuwila Kanakaole, Jake Leake, Troy Paik, Jeremy Polloi, Kamaki Sherman, Kamu Van Gieson and Shannie Wong.
Team players include Kyli Camara, Liliana Dela Cruz, Shariah Gamayo, Xhailyn Garcia, Zari Goias, Hali‘imaile Hose, Kam Lin Kanakaole, Nahe Kanei, Scarlett Kapuy, Kealohi Leake, Kekuni McClellan, Galilea Mercado, Ariane Ortiz, Tryndee Paik, Haven Polloi, Logan Sherman, Ha‘aheo Taylor and Punohu Vigilia.
The Krush 12U wrapped up tournament play on June 2 with one loss, and clinched the B Pool title following a 20-13 win over Hana Pa‘a Barros in extra innings. The Krush 12 U’s only loss came in the fourth tournament contest when the Krush fell to Dynasty K 9-5.
In the A pool of the 12 Under division, another Kaua‘i team, the Diamonds Softball Club lost its opening game 15-4 at the hands of the Strikers.
Battling back in the consolation bracket, the Diamonds beat Dynasty Softball Rosario 6-4, and then topped Hana Pa‘a Ludwig 11-5 to advance to the quarterfinals of Pool A. Following an 8-4 win over the Strikers 12 U, the Diamonds claimed the A Pool title by edging out Firecrackers Hawai‘i 11-10.
The Krush 12 U opened Pool B strong with a 19-2 win over Palolo No Ka Oi. They continued by taking Hana Pa‘a Barros 15-2. The Krush pounded Palolo No Ka Oi for the second time 16-2 before slipping against Dynasty K.
Rebounding from the loss, the Krush stayed ahead of Hana Pa‘a Barros 23-20 before a Hana Hou against Hana Pa‘a Barros for the entire enchilada.
The Krush 12 U coaches include Coach Kassie Wong and assistant coaches Lindsey Brandenburg, Kana Brede, Hank Ibia Jr., Kamaki Sherman, Kamu Van Gieson and Shannie Wong.
Team players include Morgan Atuia, Khloe Cummings, Emma Joaquin, Cheylee Laborte, Nadia “Hina” Mendes, Kyana Panangonan, Naila Pimental, Lana Prigge, Kaena Rita, Shaylyn Satta, Charlie Sherman and Jayna Welch-Hutchens.
