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East Coast Tsunami wins regional World Series qualifier
Posted by High School Sports on May 3, 2011 at 6:00pm

Photo: Pictured are members of the East Coast Tsunami. Top row from left are head coach Pat Higgins, Breanna De Maio, Helyna Bissell, Alexis Biagi, Katie Kontos, Maheen Khan, Lisa Marie Higgins, Emily Bailey and Chris Kontos; bottom row from left, Rich Sanzari, Sophie Silberman, Anabelle Sanzari, Erin Carroll, Sophia Cusenza, Alessandra Mania and Jessica Sanzari.

East Coast Tsunami, a club softball team from Nutley, won a major USSSA World Series regional qualifying tournament the weekend of April 30-May 1. The tournament, located in Quakertown, Pa., drew 27 teams from four states to compete in the 14-and-under category. Tsunami played seven games in two days to claim the trophy. With the tournament title, the team qualified for the national World Series to be held in Orlando, Fla. in July. Coach Pat Higgins said, “After some late roster changes during winter training, few thought we could compete at this level. It just goes to show that team dynamics are more important than individual accomplishments. I’m very proud of our players, their level of commitment and never-quit attitude.” East Coast Tsunami 14U has eight remaining tournaments this season, plus the World Series. They practice at Yantacaw Park in Nutley.

East Coast Tsunami claims state championship
Posted by High School Sports on July 14, 2011 at 9:18am

Top photo:
Pictured are members of the East Coast Tsunami 14U softball team. Back row from left are coaches Rich Sanzari, Deb Trongone, Joe Cusenza, Mike Trongone, Pat Higgins, Chris Kontos and Russ Mania; middle row from left, players Katie Kontos, Emily Bailey, Maheen Khan, Helyna Bissell and Breanna De Maio; front row from left, players Ivory Allen, Sophia Cusenza, Alessandra Mania, Lisa Marie Higgins, Anabelle Sanzari and Danielle Trongone.
Bottom photo:
USSSA Tournament Director Alicia Kittle, left, with Helyna Bissell of East Coast Tsunami

The East Coast Tsunami 14U softball team of Nutley competed the weekend of July 9-10 to claim the USSSA New Jersey state 14-and-under championship. The team played seven games over two days in Medford with a record of 2-1 in pool play and 4-0 mark in the single elimination round. Nineteen teams participated in the tournament. Tsunami scored a total of 40 runs while allowing only 13, including one shutout. Third baseman Helyna Bissell racked a .526 batting average and .632 on-base percentage for the tournament, including five runs and four RBI. Katie Kontos pitched a one-hitter versus The Chill ending in an 11-0 mercy while Lisa Marie Higgins hit a three-run homer in the semifinal matchup against the Forest Grove Lady A's, pushing Tsunami into the finals. Coach Russ Mania said, "The team is peaking at the right time. We're looking forward to the challenges at the national level.” With five World Series bids, East Coast Tsunami will represent New Jersey as the state champions at the USSSA World Series, Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. July 23-30.

East Coast Tsunami softball hosts world series qualifier
Posted by High School Sports on September 28, 2010 at 2:32pm

East Coast Tsunami softball hosted a 14-and-under world series qualifying tournament for the United States Specialty Sports Association at Yantacaw Park in Nutley Sept. 25-26.
The event drew teams from throughout New Jersey and New York to compete for a bid to the National World Series to be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. next July.
While all teams registered in the age category are invited to participate, generally the best club organizations attend WSQs. Twelve teams in total participated in the event, with the Empire State Huskies of Putnam County, N.Y. claiming the title.
East Coast Tsunami’s 14U team made it to the final four. Patrick Higgins, head coach for Tsunami, stated, “We have a young team playing in its first WSQ at this level. I am very pleased that our young women made it to the semi-finals in very competitive play vs. older second-year teams.”
Jeff Kittle, USSSA State Director for New Jersey/eastern Pennsylvania, was pleased with the success of the tournament as well. He said, “We don’t often have the opportunity to hold our events in the NJ Metropolitan area. The park and facilities are in great condition.”
The Tsunami Organization and USSSA would like to thank Essex County and the township of Nutley for their support of youth sports and cooperation in organizing the event.