Youth softball: Riptide comes on strong

The Newport Riptide, a 14 and under fastpitch softball traveling

team, won two of three games in a one-day tournament at Centennial Park

in Tustin Saturday.

In the first game, Ashley Gleason pitched a one-hit shutout to earn an

8-0 victory over the Santa Ana Straight A’s. The only hit Santa Ana had

was a bunt single.

In the second game, Christine Kulick and Sasha Grumman did not give up

an earned run, but the Orange County Batbusters took advantage of some

defensive lapses and held on for a 4-3 victory.

In the third game, Kelsey Ferguson and Gina Catalano combined on the

mound to lead the Riptide to a 3-2 win against the So Cal Diamonds.

Ferguson earned her fifth straight victory and has not given up an earned

run for the Riptides, who scored three runs in the last inning to pull

out the win against the Diamonds.

The offense and defense was led by catcher Jenny Tompkins, who had

multiple hits and drove in the winning runs in the third game with a

bases loaded two-out double. She was also strong on defensive, throwing

out several runners.

Julianne Bass, Markie Bingenheimer, Alex Shitanishi and Tori Harrison

had solid efforts.

The Newport Beach Riptide is hosting a two-day Triple Crown World

Series qualifying tournament featuring 20 teams this weekend at Bonita

Creek Park, Arroyo Park and Grant Howald Park.