Three local girls play well at ASA National Tournament

W

hen Brianna Castillo, Johanna Fielder and Amber Perez were asked to play in a national tournament, they obviously jumped at the chance. When given the chance to play in the national tournament, the girls showed they could hold their on just fine against an elite level.

Castilo, Fielder and Perez were all asked to join the Kerman Rock n’ Roll 16 and under team at the Amateur Softball Association National Tournament in Hillsboro, Ore., near Portland. Kerman went 2-2 in the event that featured teams from all over the West Coast and the three local players all had a significant role for Kerman.

All three had outstanding tournaments as Castillo and Fielder both went 6-for-8 in the event. Castillo doubled once and Fielder doubled twice. Perez also went 2-for-5 in the event.

One of Fielder’s doubles almost cleared the fence for a home run. “I felt like I hit it pretty hard,” Fielder said. But Fielder said didn’t watch the ball and also said “I just ran real fast.”

Castillo and Fielder said they had no magic elixir for their outstanding hitting in Oregon. “I don’t think that there is a secret,” said Fielder, a 14-year-old, who will be a freshman at Monache.

But being able to do so well at a national event was an eye opener for the girls. “I would say its average,” said Fielder, commenting on how she felt her ability was comprable with the competition. “I didn’t see anybody there really spectacular, something that I coudn’t handle.”

“They were like average girls, too,” said Perez, 15, about the competition. Perez will be a sophomore at Monache.

But the girls stressed what an honor it was to be in the event. “It meant a lot to me,” said Castillo, 15, who will be a junior at Granite Hills. “When we were little that’s all we wanted to do is go to a national tournament. We had a lot of fun.”

The chance to play at nationals came about when the girls were playing with the Central Valley Havoc in a tournament in Santa Maria. Calif. Kerman was also in the Santa Maria event and asked the girls to join its team for nationals. Kerman qualified for nationals by taking fifth in a national qualifier in Clovis.

“It made me feel special to get asked like that by a different team,” Castillo said.

Perez, who is also a pitcher, didn’t receive the chance to pitch at nationals as she was used as an outfielder. Castillo, whose primary position is catcher, didn’t have the chance to catch at nationals, but had a chance to show her athletic ability as she played shortstop, third base, center and right field.

Fielder did receive the chance to play at her natural position at second base and also played in left field. “It was an honor,” said Fielder, echoing the feelings of the three girls about playing in nationals. “I’ve never been to a national tournament before.”

And the three girls were apparently so impressive that Kerman has already asked them to join the team for the 2011 16 and under nationals in Prescott, Ariz.