The run is over, but the memories will be lasting. ADVERTISING The run is over, but the memories will be lasting. After struggling through pool play, the Gold Coast Majors made a valiant run at the Little League Softball West
The run is over, but the memories will be lasting.
After struggling through pool play, the Gold Coast Majors made a valiant run at the Little League Softball West Regional Tournament in San Bernardino, California before falling to Utah (Snow Canon Little League) 6-2 in the championship game on Friday.
Hawaii, the No. 8 seed out of pool play, fell behind early to No. 7 Utah, giving up two runs off an error and a pair of singles in the top of the first inning.
Gold Coast cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the inning when Tehani Epenesa led off with a triple to center and scored on a sacrifice by Kierra Molina.
The Hawaii defense started to falter late in the game. Four more errors led to runs being scored in the third, fourth and fifth innings, allowing Utah to build a five run cushion.
Gold Coast managed a run in the bottom of the sixth when Kanoe Piltz doubled to left, advanced to third on a single by Telsea Taketa and scored on a throwing error.
Taketa took second on the error but would be stranded as Utah worked out of the jam to end the game.
Epenesa started inside the circle for Hawaii. She threw all six innings, allowing six runs, two earned, off 13 hits. She struck out two. Epenesa also led the offense, going 2-for-3. Hawaii managed five hits total.
Gold Coast went 1-2 in pool play and was ranked eighth out of 12 teams. However, Hawaii dominated No. 9 Nevada (Centennial Little League) 17-0 in the first round of tourney play and then pulled off a major upset by beating top seeded Washington (Mills Creek Little League) 5-3 in the quarterfinals.
After such a big upset, it is easy for teams to follow with a let-down game after being emotionally spent, but Gold Coast kept its composure, defeating No. 5 Arizona (Casa Grande Little League) 5-3 to advance to the championship game.
