Local softball teams set for 32-team Torrance National Tournament

Sophomore Carly Koltko is the ace of Redondo’s pitching staff and one of the team’s top hitters. Photo .

Mira Costa and Redondo are among 12 South Bay teams competing in the 32-team Torrance National Tournament (TNT) including Bay League adversary Palos Verdes, Pioneer League teams South, Torrance and West, El Segundo and Culver City.

In CIF-Southern Section Division 5, Torrance is ranked No. 2 and Redondo is No. 4 while El Segundo is No. 7 and Culver City is No. 10 in Division 4.

L.A. City teams competing include Marine League foes Carson (Div. 1, No. 4), San Pedro (Div. 1, No. 5) and Banning.

The tournament also features 15 California teams along with four squads from Nevada and one from Texas.

Action began Tuesday and runs through Saturday. On Wednesday, Mira Costa opens play at West while Redondo hosts Santa Monica at 5 p.m.

“Our first opponent is Santa Monica and we’re definitely looking to recoup a win against them from last year,” Redondo coach Jennifer Dessert said. “If we win that game we will play the winner of San Pedro versus Cerritos at 7 p.m. The competition in the TNT tournament is always tough and exciting. It’s a great tournament to play in before league starts.

“We had a tough loss against South last week. Carly (Koltko) did a good job on the mound holding them off but defensively we failed on a couple key plays and offensively we had too many strikeouts. We need to come out strong with our bats and work to support our pitchers. This tournament is five games in four days so our girls will have lots of chances at the plate to see the ball and execute and it gives our whole squad a chance to get playing time to see some of the girls prove themselves and keep building on our team chemistry.”

For more information and results, visit homeofthetnt.wixsite.com.