Just 48 hours ago,
Cassie Colón was on the big island of Hawai'i, taking in the last of the tropical sun's tanning rays. In the evening, she headed to the Kona airport for the red eye flight to Los Angeles.
The flight's departure was delayed an hour as the tractor pushing back the airplane snapped the tow bar.
Once the plane was in the air, Colón was able to settle back and dream about the beaches of Hawaii (white sand, green sand, black sand, and tan) she left behind.
Of course that was two days ago; now Colón was standing in the parking lot of Artesia Park, ready to play in a softball tournament.
The California Crushers played three games on Saturday and were scheduled to play Showtime at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The Crushers opened the top of the first inning by sending three batters to the plate, only to see them go down in order.
In bottom half of the inning, Showtime opened with a single, followed by three walks off of pitcher
Jenna Martin and catcher
Katie Budrick.
The Crushers' battery regained their composure and sat down the next three batters. Behind 2-0, the Crushers added three of their own runs in the second inning on singles by
Emily Seidel and Martin, followed by a double from Colón.
Showtime managed two base runners on walks by Martin but the Crushers' defense stopped them from scoring.
The Crushers repeated the previous inning with two singles but were unable to convert them to runs.
The bottom of the third inning saw Showtime score on two singles and a Crusher's error.
The fourth and final inning (games were limited by time) opened with both teams tied 3-3. Colón singled, stole second base, followed by a single from
Michelle King.
Showtime dug deep and pulled off several quick defensive moves stopping the Crushers after only three batters in the inning. Martin walked the first Showtime batter and gave up two singles.
The officials called the game (based on time) as Showtime took the lead 5-3.
Pitcher Seidel teamed with Colón behind the plate, against the Stars, for the Crushers second game on the day. The Stars scored a single run in the first inning, but was unable to score in the next two.
For their part, the Crushers, despite four singles and a double (Colón), scattered over the same three innings.
In the fourth inning, the Stars scored their second run of the game on two walks and a triple, as Seidel recorded strikeouts fourand five. She would have six on the day.
The Crushers remained scoreless as Colón recorded her second hit in the game (four-for-four on the day, two doubles, two singles).
The Stars opened the bottom of the fifth inning leading 2-0. Seidel gave up a single in the inning that eventually scored on an error, stolen base and a wild pitch.
The top of the sixth inning offered the Crushers one last opportunity to score and win the game. It was not to be, however, as the Crushers went down in order and defeat.
Next up for the Crushers will be a road trip to a showcase tournament, where college coaches will be watching the players - hoping to recruit a future All-Star.
Based on Colón's post-Hawaiian beach performance, it might be wise to have the Crushers hang around a pool and watch
Elvis in "Blue Hawaii."