By Loren Kopff
HUNTINGTON BEACH-The Cerritos Kaos 12-Under all-stars had relative ease in its pool of the South Huntington Beach Tournament last weekend. Unfortunately, when it came to the playoffs, that’s where the fun ended as Cerritos went one and done for the second straight tournament this summer.
The Kaos gave up five runs to Downey within the first three innings and simply ran out of time in a 5-3 loss this past Sunday. After falling behind 2-0 after half an inning, the Kaos got on the board in its half of the frame as Essence Gibbs brought in Julie Enzmann with a double to the left field gap.
But Cerritos wouldn’t get a runner past second until the fourth inning and already down 5-1. Gibbs led off with a base hit and with two outs, scored on a single from Valerie Joaquin. Joaquin, who pitched six innings, scattered seven hits and struck out seven. Two innings later, Gemma Bulthuis reached on an error and scored on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice from Brenda Duran.
Cerritos defeated South Huntington Beach 7-4 last Friday and slammed Temecula Valley 7-1 last Saturday. In that game, the team scored four runs in the top of the first as Enzmann scored on a wild pitch and Haylee Ridge and Destiny Ramos drew bases loaded walks to bring in two runs, followed by a single from Brooklyn Bedolla.
Two innings later, Ridge had a run scoring hit and Ramos had a run-scoring groundout. Ridge would pitch four innings, giving up four hits.
The 8-Under Dynamite all-stars were blanked by Huntington Beach 6-0 last Friday before shutting out Santa Monica 8-0 last Saturday. Later in the day, the Dynamite edged San Pedro 2-1 in the playoffs but was eliminated by Torrance 12-1 this past Sunday morning.
The 10-Under Bam What all-stars were crushed by South Huntington Beach 13-1 last Friday and fell to La Mirada 7-3 last Saturday before falling to Santa Monica 8-0 later in the day in the playoffs.
The Dynamite and Bam What will participate in the La Habra Tournament beginning this evening while the Kaos will participate in the West Valley Tournament beginning this evening as well. Both tournaments end on Sunday. Through the first two of at least five tournaments this summer, all three teams are a combined 11-12 but have won just two playoff games.
FOOTBALL
The annual 605 All-Star will take place tonight at Cerritos College with six area seniors playing together on the same team. Norwalk will have a quartet of players, led by slot back Rashaad Penny. Dante Foster (safety), Xavier Fuery (defensive tackle) and Daniel Moreno (cornerback) will also represent the Lancers.
LaMarr Crowder of Cerritos will be another slot back while Tytus Simmons of Artesia is one of the safeties. The East squad will be coached by Joe Veach of Artesia.