Torrance's run ends with a loss in Division 2 semifinals

TORRANCE» The Torrance High softball team battled injuries, inexperience and the lack of a true home field and still put together a memorable playoff run reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 2 semifinals.

However, the 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 were never able to recover, losing 10-0. The game was played at West High.

Mission Viejo (25-5) was led by sophomore pitcher Sofia Elliott, who pitched 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.”

With Mission Viejo leading 1-0 in the second inning, Torrance looked ready to escape the inning, but things turned drastically.

Sydney Denser got a two-out single and Hailey Stammer who was hit by a pitch. Brooke Finneran followed with a single to drive in Denser.

Later, a wild pitch allowed Stammer to score from third, and two pitches later another wild pitch brought home Finneran for a 4-0 Mission Viejo lead.

Torrance had a chance to respond in bottom of the second as freshman

Samantha Laurens singled, followed by a walk by Emily Schepp. However, Elliott was up to the challenge as she retired the next two Torrance hitters on pop-ups to end the threat.

Mission Viejo added two runs in the third for a commanding 6-0 lead.

Torrance had one more chance to get back in the game in the bottom of the fourth, with Laurens and Schepp reaching on backto-back singles and eventually moving to second and third on an error. However, Elliott thwarted a squeeze bunt attempt, fielding the Kara Caropino bunt and throwing it to catcher Hailey Gald, who tagged out Laurens at the plate to end the threat.

“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.”