TORRANCE >> The Torrance softball team battled injuries, inexperience and the lack of a true home field, and still it put together a memorable playoff run by reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 2 semifinals.
However, the Tartars’ run came to an end Saturday against No. 2 seed Mission Viejo.
The Tartars (24-8) allowed six runs on three hits in the first three innings and went on to lose 10-0 at West High.
Mission Viejo (25-5) was led by sophomore pitcher Sofia Elliott, who tossed a four-hit shutout.
“They caught us on a bad day,” Torrance coach Don Glavich said. “Their pitcher pitched very well and we made some mistakes that got us in an early hole, and we couldn’t dig our way out of it.
“I’m proud at how we battled all year. We were battling injuries all year and not having a true home field, I’m amazed that we got this far as we are a very young team. We will be good in the future.”
Mission Viejo wil play Millikan in the Division 2 championship game at Bill Barber Park in Irvine on May 20 or 21.
With Mission Viejo leading 1-0 in the second inning, Torrance looked ready to escape the inning, but things took a disastrous turn for the Tartars.
Sydney Denser got a two-out single, followed by Hailey Stammer being hit by a pitch. Brooke Finneran followed with a single that drove in Denser. A wild pitch allowed Stammer to score from third, and two pitches later another wild pitch brought home Finneran to give Mission Viejo a 4-0 lead.
Related Articles
Cajon softball team defeats Fountain Valley, advances to Division 5 final
CIF-SS softball playoffs: Schedule updates for the semifinals
CIF-SS softball playoffs: Thursday’s scores, pairings and schedule for the semifinals
Yorba Linda softball shut out by Burroughs in Division 4 quarterfinals
El Toro softball beats Norwalk with walk-off hit by freshman Camryn Bradshaw
Torrance had a chance cut into its deficit in the bottom half of the second as freshman Samantha Laurens singled, followed by a walk to Emily Schepp. However, Elliott retired the next two Torrance hitters on pop-ups to end the threat.
Mission Viejo added two runs in the third for a 6-0 lead.
Torrance had another chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the fourth. Laurens and Schepp reached on back-to-singles and eventually moved to second and third on an error. However, Elliott thwarted a squeeze attempt by fielding a Kara Caropino’s bunt and throwing to catcher Hailey Gald, who tagged out Laurens at the plate.
“It was a tough way to end our season,” Laurens said. “We still had a great year. I loved every minute of it and I am looking forward to next year.”