Kadena Captures DODDS-Japan Softball Tournament Title

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan — Led by Most Outstanding Player Shannon Scott, Kadena of Okinawa captured the DODDS-Japan Girls Softball Tournament title. The Panthers scored in double digits in four victories, winning by an average margin of six runs. "It feels great. The girls did a great job," said coach Jesse Costa after the Panthers beat defending champion Nile C. Kinnick 11-4 in Saturday's championship game. Scott drove in three runs and All-Tournament right-hander Mary Schweers pitched a complete game. Kadena broke it open with three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to overcome multi-hit performances by Kinnick's Dusty Keolanui-Wilson, Arisa Hirashima and All-Tournament selection Amanda Reyes. "All 14 of our players gave it their best effort. It was a total team effort," said Costa, adding that the wait for a chance to travel off-island was worth it. "This has been a long time coming. It's awfully fun to see new people. We had a great time playing ball." Facing teams they'd never seen had the Panthers "anxious" prior to the tournament, All-Tournament shortstop Abbi Kinghorn said. "This was new for us," she said. "It was exciting to see other teams." The Red Devils didn't go home empty-handed — by virtue of their runner-up finish, they were the last DODDS-Japan team standing, thereby allowing them to retain "best in DODDS-Japan" status. Coach Danel MacWhyte praised the play of Reyes, All-Tournament shortstop Jordan Hunt, pitcher Cheyenne Tullos and Wilson, a center fielder. "She's Miss Consistent," MacWhyte said. "She made every play that came to her and she gets on base, she's at the top of the order, she stirs things up, can really be a distraction." The loss "doesn't hurt us at all," said MacWhyte, whose Red Devils are unbeaten in the DODDS-Japan regular play. "We played well. I'm happy."