21 Sep 2014 HCC FIRE Students win five-game winning streak By R. S. Rhode After an early close game, HCC FIRE students returned to winning form and proceeded to win every game played during the 9-11 Memorial Softball Fire Classic by comfortable margins. The tournament was held at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipi’o on September 21th and featured teams from COSTCO, Federal Fire Department, Marines of Kaneohe Crash/Fire/Rescue, and Honolulu Airport’s State Crash as well as HCC’s “Fire & Water” team. Open Division teams included Home Bar, Bohica, Secret Sauce, and Corrections. Sunday morning, pitching struggles nearly cost the “Fire & Water” a game against the Corrections team but Fire student Jason “Hollywood” Gunderson returned to form and collapsed the opposing team’s offensive capability. Gunderson had supporters in the bleachers calling out “Hollywood” repeatedly throughout the tournament in response to his blazing pitches. The momentum the team had found after nearly dropping the first game against Federal Fire Department 2-1, propelled them to sweep the balance of the series winning the next three games 10-5, 11-2 and 5-3. Jesse Santana led off with his blazing bat in coming out with an impressive start. Jesse was first in a lineup of students that included Ryan Oura-Nakoa, Kapena Kalehuawehe-Gomes, Les Shiroma, Richie Anacan, Joseph “Paka” Perry, Jason “Hollywood” Gunderson, Kai Hamakua, and Fire Instructor Richard “Handsome Scotty” Rhode. Amidst a flurry of base hits, stolen bases by Jesse Santana and Kai Hamakua, and a well timed Paka Perry double, the students put up 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st. They continued to lead as pitcher “Hollywood” Gunderson returned to the mound in the 2nd. Hollywood quickly put away the next three batters and Fire & Water moved off the infield and into their own batting order. Five singles and two doubles had the student players circling the bases like kids on a carousel, putting Fire & Water back into the lead 3-6. Les Shiroma blasted an inside-the-park homer, scoring three more runs as Anacan and Oura-Nakoa started off the student rotation once again with base hits. Halfway through the tournament, a “Home-run Derby” contest was held. Kapena Kalehuwehe-Gomes immediately whacked four home-runs over the fence to qualify in a runoff against four other batters. In the second series, Kapena swatted three additional homers to clinch the win for “Fire & Water”. HCC Fire Students made such a great showing at this annual tournament that they have been guaranteed an invitation to next year’s event. It proved to be an invaluable way to network with firefighters from the various agencies on Oahu. Many voices were heard discussing the merits and abilities of the students. Of particular note, were comments mentioning the students’ display of courtesy and enthusiasm. Another welcome display of exuberance was the HCC Fire Program Cheerleaders coached by Two-Ton Tessie Cruz. The “Voluptuous Vixens” as they are so aptly named, consist of Gala-gala Gail Gonzales, and the indomitable Pig-Pen Pam Silva.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 19:31:09 +0000
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