The experienced Kona Gold softball team continued to flex its muscle in the Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament by claiming its third consecutive state championship at Old Kona Airport Park Saturday afternoon. Kona Gold defeated the Honomu Rockets 10-8 to claim the Division A title at the 40th edition of the annual tourney, and they were able to do it on their home field.
The experienced Kona Gold softball team continued to flex its muscle in the Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament by claiming its third consecutive state championship at Old Kona Airport Park Saturday afternoon. Kona Gold defeated the Honomu Rockets 10-8 to claim the Division A title at the 40th edition of the annual tourney, and they were able to do it on their home field.
“This year was a big bonus for us and a team effort,” Kona Gold player-coach Bob Fitzgerald said. “This is a great tournament run by the senior program and the competition was great. The Big Island was able to finish 1-2-3 (in the A division) and that is a big kudos to how we play on this island. It is real nice for us to beat the Oahu and Maui teams.”
However, the day was not without its controversy. Originally, Kona Gold was scheduled to take on Kona Legends in the championship game. However, the Honomu Rockets thought they deserved to have a shot at the title based on the current tiebreaker rules.
The three teams had the same win-loss records and after both tiebreakers were looked at — run differential and least runs against — the Rockets and Legends were still tied. The rules stated a coin toss would decide which team would play Kona Gold. Kona Legends conceded the toss, allowing Honomu to slip into the title game.
The title game was a good one with the Rockets jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the first inning off six hits, five singles and a double by Dave Waters.
After scoring a run in the second inning, Kona Gold fought back to take the lead in the third, thanks to three walks to open the inning. Bruce Boone and Ray Peterson picked up a pair of singles to score the runs. Kona Gold led 6-5.
Honomu tied the game in the fourth when Billy DeMello doubled and scored on a single by Joey Estrella.
The game continued to go back and forth as both teams pushed two more runners across the plate.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, and with the game tied at 8-8, Jack McMenimen and Rob Reshan reached base on a pair of one-out singles. Fred Costanzo then stepped up to the plate and knocked in both runners with a double. The runs would hold in the seventh, giving Kona Gold their third straight title.
“I don’t know if anyone has every won three in a row in the past, but to be over 60 and win three straight state titles is good,” Fitzgerald said. “We will take every charitable moment we can, first winning on Oahu, then Maui, and now at home.”