The 12U Tidewater Lady Tides fast-pitch softball team finished as runner-up at the NSA (National Softball Association) Tidewater Class B World Qualifier held in Williamsburg, May 2-3.

The Lady Tides started out the tournament with a 7-1 victory over Smithfield Galaxy and finished up the rain shortened tournament with back-to-back victories over The Surge of Stafford and the Back River Surge from Poquoson 6-1 and 5-1 respectively.

The Lady Tides, with a 3-1 record for the tournament, took second place in the 11-team tournament with the second best overall record and while allowing the least amount of runs.

Sydney Wash of Suffolk threw 11 near-flawless innings accumulating 29 strikeouts and Selena Thompson, Alexis Perkinson and Taylor Dezern followed up with some offensive firepower to cushion the wins.

Playing for the Lady Tides are Sarah Manugo, Hannah Rogers, Courtney Wilson, Alexis Perkinson, Addy Brooks, Rachel Morrow, Taylor Dezern, Ashlyn Applewhite, Rachel and Rebecca Rusch all of Chesapeake, Selena Thompson and Jamie Carroll of Portsmouth and Sydney Wash of Suffolk.

The Tidewater Lady Tides are coached by local Suffolk Prosecutor Nicole Belote (George Mason) and former Nansemond-Suffolk pitcher Sarah Putnam Gavin (Maryland) and have put on a strong showing against some very good Virginia teams. Experience helps as these two coaches each played four years of Division I College Fast Pitch Softball and are particularly good at sharing their knowledge of the game with these 11-12 year old girls. The Lady Tides are scheduled for six more tournaments.