Softball: North Torrance wins stunner in final inning

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The comeback was storybook. The ending was joyous.

And North Torrance’s season is still alive.

The third-seeded Saxons scored two seventh-inning runs and stunned second-seeded El Segundo in a stomach-twisting 3-2 road victory in the Southern Section-Toyota Division V semifinals Tuesday night. They will head to the championship game this weekend in Irvine for the first time since 1979.

Who kicked off the winning rally? Lexi Vernon did -- she hit an 0-and-2 fastball for a long double off hard-throwing Jenna Rich. Vernon moved to third on a bunt, the next batter struck out and up came Samantha Alvillar.

Alvillar lined a single into the outfield to bring home Vernon and the score was tied, 2-2. She then stole second base and scored the winner on Olivia Alvarez’s single. ‘I was in a little bit of a slump, but I just knew in that at-bat I was going to get a hit,’ Alvarez said

As Alvillar crossed the plate, the North Torrance crowd erupted -- the Saxons leaped in delirium. ‘I had the biggest smile on my face. Even my jaw hurt from smiling,’ Alvillar said. ‘Oh my gosh, it was best feeling in the world.’

On the other side, there was dejection. And tears. ‘It is really heartbreaking,’ Rich said softly, after throwing a five-hitter and striking out seven. ‘But we fought hard and I’m really proud of what we did.’

Hayley Rodriguez, who started for North Torrance (23-10), pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up two runs. Alex Castro picked up the win, tossing a scoreless 3 1/3 innings.

North Torrance, which has never won a division championship, will play Pioneer League champion Torrance, in the finals. Top-seeded Torrance beat the Saxons twice during league play. Nevertheless, North Torrance players say the magic will continue. As Alvarez put it, ‘Trust me, we’re going to play that last game with heart.’

-- Anthony Stitt