Kona is more than part of the Maier family, she's a member of the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball family.
A crossbreed of husky, pitbull, German Shepherd and beagle, Kona is a certified service dog and is in her second season as part of the program's culture. She never misses a practice nor a contest, both home and away. She was with the team during their run through the 2022 postseason, which included the program's first NCAA West Region title and reaching the NCAA Championship Series.Â
Kona was born in San Francisco in 2020. She was abandoned outside a grocery store as a puppy with two of her siblings and was rescued by the Maier family at a shelter one year later.Â
While Kona is with the team during the good times, she is there for the student-athletes when the times are bad. She is the first to reach when a student-athlete becomes injured during practice and has served comfort when they have difficult moments.
In addition to her Toro family consisting human beings, Kona is friends with Benji, CSUDH's women's soccer coach Marine Cano's certified service dog, and Tate, the family pet of Jake Maier's fiancee Amanda. She even makes friends randomly such as Looki (pronounced low-key), a dog who can be seen walking around campus with her owner.
More on Kona
Activities/hobbies:Â playing tug-of-war, fetching, chewing on bones, the zoomies and keeping Toro Diamond free from birds, squirrels and lizards
Favorite sports teams: Los Angeles Angels and Calgary Stampeders (she has her own attire for both clubs)
Favorite food: lamb lungs
Favorite treat: pup cups
Favorite drink: unsweetened iced tea
Favorite TV show: 'Dog TV' on Youtube
Favorite restaurant: Texas Roadhouse
Favorite hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites
Biggest fear: tractors, lawn mowers and pitching machines
Favorite toy: anything to throw or tug
Favorite clothing to steal: socks
Favorite spot on the bus: front and center or wherever the food is
Favorite teammate: whoever has food
Kona's Stats
Hit by pitches: 3
Walks: daily
Stolen base plugs: 63
