Tehachapi News

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On June 21, Tehachapi’s own Bad Apples girl’s softball team consisting of Tehachapi High School girls between the ages of 14-16, played in the Fresno regional qualifying tournament which was held at Buchannan High School in Clovis, CA. The 16 and under bracket consisted of 17 teams throughout Central California.
The temperature in Clovis reached 108 degrees on Saturday in which the Bad Apples had to play three games. Game one was a nail biter in which Tehachapi came back and won in the last inning, 3-1. The hitting was lead by Tara Steinbach (3-3) and Ashli Carter (2-3). Breanne Farinas pitched the whole game, giving up 3 hits.
Game two which started at 2 p.m. was a game which showed the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The Bad Apples started strong and took a 2 run lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning behind the strong hitting of Breanne Farinas and Jackie Kunick. Again Breanne Farinas pitched a gutsy performance in the worst of conditions. With one out and the Bad Apples apparently in route to the championship round on Sunday, as fate has it, it wasn’t meant to be. The Central California Krush scored three runs to defeat the Bad Apples and apparently break their hearts and spirit.
Game three started with the Bad Apples going into the losers round. Manager Dave Carter noted the exhaustion of his pitcher Breanne Farinas and started Erin Golackson who hadn’t pitched in two years since her days with the Tehachapi Little League Tornadoes. Coach Carter challenged the team to show the fans and themselves what kind of character they were really made of. The Bad Apples faced the Bakersfield Rebels which had a few hours rest in between games. The rebels started strong and scored two runs in the first. In the sixth inning with the Bad Apples behind by 3 runs, all hope seemed lost. Then a cloud in the sky covered the hot clovis sun and the wind started blowing.  The team felt like they were back home and a new energy arose throughout the team. The Bad Apples scored two runs to tie the game and take it into extra innings. Tehachapi scored 4 runs and won the game.
On Sunday morning Tehachapi played the Central California Dirt Dogs. Tehachapi started strong and scored 3 runs off back to back doubles by Kelsey Kapitzke. In the fourth the Dirt Devils released the big bats and scored 7 runs, then closed Tehachapi out in the next inning to win the game.
Coach Carter stated that he felt the girl’s gave it all they had in unbelievable hot conditions but just ran out of gas in the end. Coach Carter stated he couldn’t be more proud of the effort the girls gave. Every girl contributed in one way or another.
The Bad Apples have three or four more tournaments before the summer ends. These girls represent some of the best girl softball players Tehachapi has to offer and are looking for tax free donations to help support these kids in upcoming tournaments where they will represent Tehachapi against the big city teams of California.