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Tahoe Fire peforms well in home tourney

Paul Andrew

The Tahoe Fire 14-and-under softball team completed a successful Capital Sports Association tournament this past weekend. The team earned a 2-2 split against challenging competitors from different regions of California.

On Friday, the Fire lost their opener to the King City Hurricanes 6-2. Melissa Smith pitched well, recording three strikeouts, while giving up six hits and four walks. Tiffany Racz was 1 for 1 at the plate, scored and walked; Krissy Guarino was 1 for 2 and scored; and Melissa Ewing also went 1 for 2.

Fire beat Smoke on Saturday, as the girls defeated the Livermore Smoke 4-3. Guarino was pitcher of record, striking out six, giving up four hits and three walks. Racz and Ashley Killeen were each 1 for 2 and scored, with Terra Backinger and Melissa Smith each a perfect 1 for 1. Great defensive play by left fielder Brittany Sanchez, including a spectacular diving catch, helped the Fire to the win.



In single elimination on Sunday, the Fire wouldn’t be extinguished, as they edged the Stompers 2-1. Smith again was superb on the mound, giving up only two hits while recording four strikeouts. Guarino and Amanda Rieves were each 1 for 2, with Smith going 1 for 2 and reaching base on an error.

Against the undefeated San Jose Quicksilver, the Fire barely lost a cliff-hanger 5-4. With the tying run on third, and the winning run on second in the final inning, the Fire put a scare into the Quicksilvers, but couldn’t drive in the final runs. Guarino and Smith combined for a strong pitching performance, with Tiffany Racz going 2 for 3 and scoring, and Sara Breisacher 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored.



“This was a great game against a good team,” said coach Dave Galicia. “This is the best spirited team that I have ever coached. They have faced adversity and really come through.”

The Tahoe Smoke had a little rougher time against the visiting competition. After losing the opener 11-0 to King City on Friday, the girls came back Saturday against the Panic with a strong showing behind pitcher Kelly Barkley. Ahead 2-1 going into the last inning, a few errors let the game slip away as the Panic ended up with a 4-2 win.

In the late game Saturday, the Benicia Outlaws were up 12-0, but the Smoke didn’t quit, scoring the three final runs to drop the contest 12-3. On Sunday, in a rematch with the Outlaws, the visitors won 10-0.

Next Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Fire will hold a car wash at South Tahoe Middle School. Come out, get your car washed and support this hard-working group of girls.


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