Hurricanes have a successful summer

The Carson Valley Hurricanes 14 and under softball team ended its spring/summer season in impressive fashion by winning two straight tournaments.

Last month, the Hurricans won the Amateur Softball Association tournament at Incline Village. The Hurricanes beat the Petaluma (Calif.) Impact 7-5, the Vacaville (Calif.) Tornadoes 4-3 and tied the 16 and under High Sierra Diamonds of Reno 3-3. The Hurricanes went on to be the Tornadoes 21-0 in the championship game in a contest called after five innings due to the mercy rule.

The Hurricanes thn won the title at the ASA Pacific Challenge Series held in Dixon, Calif. The Hurricanes beat Woodland Edge 9-0, tied Galt, Calif., 5-5 and beat the East Bay Quakes 9-4, defeated River City 9-5, the Union City Roadrunners 7-66 and beat the Quakes 7-3 in the championship game. Against the Roadrunners, the Hurricanes overcame a two-run deficit in their final at bat.

In the Dixon Tournament, eight players batted .300 or higher. Maddy Gilbert led the team with 11 hits while hitting .550. Mackenzie Cauley and Gilbert also each stole seven bases.

Stephanie Harper led the Hurricanes on the mound. She had 31 strikeouts in 30 innings, including three complete games on the final day of the tournament on Sunday in 100-plus degree heat.

Starting catcher Katrina Morgan injured her knee on Saturday, but Naomi Roberts was solid in catching all three games on Sunday. Infielders Donna Judd, Marina Diaz, Brenna White, Morgan Pope and outfielders Gilbert, Cauley, Mia Townsell, Morgan Blomstrom and Jacqueline Harper all played well defensively.

The Hurricanes are made up all of players from the Carson Valley. As freshmen last year, Harper and Judd played for the Douglas High varsity and Diaz and Cauley played junior varsity.

Most of the Hurricanes' opponents were from the Sacramento and Bay Areas. Of the six tournaments the team played, it won two titles and took second once. The team was coached by Tod Harper, Andy Mitchell, Ted Thran, Dan Judd and Kathy Mauzey.

Last year the Hurricanes' 12 and under team qualified for the NSA Super World Series and most of the players on this year's 14 and under team played for that squad.

The Hurricanes also had a 16 and under team. The team included Douglas High players Katie Gettman, Nicole LaPorte, Tisha Luken, Dorothy Silva, Angella Stephenson, Chloe Trudell and Erika Wilson and Dayton and Silver Stage players Alicia Merrell, Sierra Barnwell, Brittany Hill and Samantha Baker. The team was coached by Steve Merrell and Todd Balcon.

The Hurricanes plan to play a limited number of tournaments in the fall and will begin practice after Labor Day. Girls ages 12-17 as of Jan. 1, 2007 are eligible. For more information, call Tod Harper, 267-33974, Andy Mitchell, 782-4849 or Steve Merrell, (775) 629-0108.