Heat takes Mirada Madness tourney title

The South Huntington Beach 10-and-under “A” all-star team, the Heat,

went undefeated during play at the Mirada Madness tournament in La

Mirada en route to the tournament championship.

In the title game against La Mirada Gold, Sammy Cordova limited

the host team to a single run in a 6-1 victory.

The Heat trailed, 1-0, until Dennison knocked in the tying run.

With the game tied 1-1 going into the seventh inning, the

international tie rule came into effect.

In the top of the eighth inning, Kelynn Mullally and Cordova

reached base and with bases loaded, Jessica Plaza had a hit to score

the go-ahead run, and Katie Kendrick delivered a three-RBI triple to

make it 5-1.

Nicole Zapotoczny drove in the sixth run to make it a 6-1 final.

The “A” All-Star team, Surf City Heat, is coached by Art Cordova,

Rich Dennison and Doug Deats.

The Heat opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory over the La

Mirada Silver. Taylor Dennison pitched the shutout and teammate

Kelynn Mullally tripled an scored on Katie Kendrick’s game-winning

hit.

The Heat followed that win with another 1-0 victory, this one

coming at the expense of the La Habra. Sammy Cordova pitched the

shutout.

In both 1-0 victories, Dennison and Cordova were backed by the

strong defensive play of Zapotoczny, Lauren Deats, Casey Africano,

Jessica Plaza, Kelynn Mullally, Madeline Moore, Kelsey Bartlett,

Kendrick, Deats and Africano.

During the two-day tournament, Xtreme catcher Sarah Wood caught 39

innings.

The Heat also defeated Fullerton Hills, 7-1, Brea, 5-2, and

Downey, 6-1.

In other action:

The South Huntington Beach girls 10-and-under division Silver

all-star team, the HB Explosion, won the sixth annual Riptide

softball tournament in Oceanside.

Karly Tahti fired a two-hitter in tournament final against Rancho

Trabuco, a game won by the Explosion, 3-2.

The Explosion erupted for 58 runs over the two-day tournament and

used standout defensive play to reach the finals.

Tahti also recorded two shutouts.