SOFTBALL: Tigers Fall in CCS Heartbreaker

Terra Nova High lost a heartbreaker on Wednesday, falling 2-1 in nine innings to visiting San Lorenzo Valley in the opening round of the Central Coast Section Division III softball playoffs.

The Tigers finished the year 13-14.

The first-ever CCS game hosted by Terra Nova drew a large, enthusiastic crowd, and it got its money's worth. The teams traded runs in the third inning, then both pitchers went into shut down mode. San Lorenzo Valley finally broke through in the top of the ninth against Devon Murphy. The Cougars got going on a 15-pitch at-bat with one out, when Michelle Hitt finally drew a walk. After a force out, a single and an error, San Lorenzo Valley had runners at second and third and Leah Viele-Verner dunked a single behind third to drive in the go-ahead run.

Terra Nova responded by loading the bases in the bottom of the inning before Erini Misthos lined out to second base to end the game.

“It was probably the best game we played all season,” Tigers coach Donna Tolero said.

Talisa Fiame drove in Terra Nova's only run with a double. Murphy only struck out one batter, but went the distance. Appropriately, Hitt was the hitting star of the game with two hits.

“We're still really young,” Tolero said of her team. “We had a fantastic year to be able to make CCS out of the (the Peninsula Athletic League) Bay (Division). We're getting better and stronger and I can't wait for next season.”

One player she'll have to replace is Murphy.

“I've never had a starting pitcher that wasn't Devon,” Tolero said. “She started with me four years ago.”