Softball’s Good Losers Win Crown

Jim Carrico, coach of the Torrance Lightning softball team, says his girls don’t win many tournaments but “we try to be nice when we lose.”

Torrance Lightning’s reputation for sportsmanship earned the squad a fourth consecutive invitation to the International Friendship Tournament, played last weekend in Anaheim under auspices of the American Fastpitch Assn.

Only this time, Torrance was more than a good loser.

The Lightning rebounded from a first-round loss to win the 18-and-under title with a 4-3 victory over Wild Fire of Upland on Sunday. The tournament featured 16 teams from Southern California, Arizona and Japan.

“We’re still flying high,” said Carrico, softball coach at West Torrance High. “It takes quite a lot to win this tournament.”

For one thing, it took perseverance. Torrance lost its opening game to the Buena Park Express, 6-0, in what Carrico called “the biggest blowout of the tournament.”

But the Lightning went unbeaten in its last five games, including a come-from-behind effort in the finals. Trailing 2-0, Torrance scored four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good against Upland.

Catcher Janice Chabota of Culver City High delivered a bases-loaded double that tied the score, 2-2, and RBI singles by outfielder Nikki LaRoche of West and third baseman Mary Sanchez of Culver City provided the lead. LaRoche, the daughter of former major league pitcher Dave LaRoche, made a game-saving catch in the seventh for the final out.

Terilynn Perry of Upland, the only Lightning player not from the South Bay or Westside, pitched the last five innings to gain the win, which ironically came against the team from her hometown. Perry is a student at UC Riverside.

Carrico said others who played well for the Lightning included pitcher Tricia Waayers of Hawthorne High, outfielder Candy Carrico of Leuzinger, second baseman Brigit Tapp of West and shortstop Laura Papadakis of Mary Star.

Team members were given medals and bat bags at an awards ceremony Sunday at the Emerald hotel in Anaheim, and catcher Yvonne Zuniga of Santa Monica was one of three players in the tournament who was presented a friendship award recognizing exemplary sportsmanship.