RADD athletes earn various medals at softball event

Pleasanton RADD (Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled) played well to garner a variety of medals at the Special Olympics Northern California softball competition last month in Walnut Creek.

With 14 different teams and about 300 athletes competing both days, the RADD A team earned the silver medal and the RADD B team took the bronze, while individual athletes Adam Pinney and Charla Tracy each won gold in the skills competition.

"Softball season is very short compared to the other SONC sports and the RADD teams have only six weeks to practice," RADD coach Kay King said. "Each player is very dedicated, and this year we saw significant improvement in every aspect of their game. They work very hard to improve along with having a lot of fun, which is the best part."

The two gold medalists, Pinney and Tracy, showed off their skills in the four-part individual competition consisting of base-running, throwing, batting and fielding.

The RADD A team rallied from an opening-game loss to win its final two games, 13-4 and 10-6, respectively. King noted the silver medal was a big improvement for the squad, which didn't win any games last year. The team had two home runs and one tag-out at home plate during the event last month.

The RADD B team faced strong opposition in its bracket, fighting hard during two losses en route to earning the bronze medal, according to King.

The RADD A team consisted of Patrick Harris, Harold Seals, Maggie Viele, Jake Kauffman, Greg Neves, Adam Alhaithani, Steven Adkins, Jason Paasch, Joshua Layman, JJ Laurin, James Burton and Malcom Miller, with King, Kris Gudjohnsen and Jim Spillane coaching.

The RADD B team featured Lauren Lenigan, Camellia Pinhero, Lisa Burley, Scott Tanaka, Jamie Gadbaugh, Marshal Fulk, Evan Rutter, Ryan Butterly, Jennifer Thomas, Bruce Louwert and Steven Ostreicher, along with coaches Kathy D'Onofrio, Matt Samaro, Sergio Castillo and Jim Gundell.