Brown sends Riptide out in fashion

The Newport Beach Riptide Gold, an 18 and under fastpitch softball

team, went 4-1 in the prestigious America’s Finest College Showcase,

a tournament that draws the premier high school juniors and seniors

in the country last month in Rancho Bernardo.

The Riptide ended the tournament in dramatic fashion when Dani

Brown sent the first pitch she saw over the leftfielder’s head to

score Michele Sierra, who had singled with one out, for a two-run,

game-winning home run to earn a 3-2 victory over the So Cal Jets

Gold.

The Riptide began the tournament against Minors Gold with Kelsey

Ferguson in the circle.

The Riptide rallied for three runs to stake a 3-1 lead in the

third inning, with Sierra driving in two runs with a sharp single to

center field. Katy Erickson and Alanna Snedigar began the inning with

singles and the first run scored when Kristin Nicholas drove in

Erickson with a base hit. Julianne Bass added another single in the

inning.

Ferguson threw a complete game, allowing three hits while striking

out three and walking none.

Rachel Reekstin tossed a five-hit shutout and benefited from

strong defensive play from second baseman Sasha Grumman, who covered

first on a bunt and then threw out a runner trying to go from first

to third base. Nicholas threw out two runners at second and third

attempting to steal. Shortstop Jessica Hudgins covered the left side

of the infield.

Nicholas also tripled to drive in Heather Lohrman, who had walked

to start the inning. Nicholas scored on a single by Hudgins.

In 12 and under action:

* The Pacific Coast Riptide swept a doubleheader from the Mission

Viejo Angels, scoring 23 runs in two games.

The Riptide won the first game, 11-8, behind two RBIs from Lauren

Tolfa, who pitched the final two innings, striking out two.

The Riptide scored six runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by

Amy Smith’s triple to the gap in left field which drove in two runs.

Melanie Sitzer walked and Amanda Ring had a key single to set the

stage for Elizabeth Cramer, who drove in one run.

Riptide won the second game, 12-5.

Courtney Francis followed Tolfa in the circle with three strong

innings and Kelsie Soltero completed the game.

Brittany Martinez stopped a potential Angel rally in the third

inning by catching a popup.

First baseman Jessica Brockett and centerfielder Jade Watts added

strong defensive plays.

Cramer, Emma Zublin and Francis produced multiple hits to spark

rallies in two innings.