High-Tides third at West Garden Grove

The High-Tides, the under-14 Division All-Star team representing

Huntington Beach Girls Softball, won two games last weekend and finished

in third place at the West Garden Grove Tournament.

Facing some of the toughest competition in Southern California, the

High-Tides finished third after falling to Downey, 3-0.

Downey broke a scoreless tie with a run in the fourth inning, then

came up with a two-run fifth to take control.

Heather Langner, Eryika Rodriguez, Katie Jordan and Michelle Fuzzard

had hits for the High-Tides.

Fuzzard gave an outstanding performance in the tournament opener

facing 22 batters -- one over the minimum -- as the High-Tides blanked

Garden Grove, 3-0.

She allowed one hit and backed her effort with an RBI.

Kara Rutkin powered the offense with a three for three game, and other

key hits came from Langner and Elaine Johnson.

Host West Garden Grove handed the High-Tides their first loss, a 1-0

setback in eight innings. Rutkin and Jordan each doubled and Rodriguez

singled.

Fuzzard was impressive in a one-hit game. She was supported by Chelsea

Coffman’s outstanding play at second base and catcher Alyssa Cooney, who

threw out a base runner.

The High-Tides rebounded from that tough loss to rout Fullerton Hills,

11-0.

Langner powered the triumph with a triple and pair of singles.

Other big offensive contributions were two hits by Courtney Krueger,

Christina Hart, Kaitlin Potter and Fuzzard. Cooney, Rutkin and Rodriguez

each singled.

Fuzzard pitched three innings and gave up only one hit. Rutkin

finished the game and allowed only one base runner, who reached first

base on an error.

The High-Tides travel to Anaheim this weekend for the District

Championships. The top two finishers in the under-14- All-Star

competition qualify for the upcoming State Championships in Simi Valley.