Saugus Forced to Face the Music Against Fullerton : Division II softball: Top-seeded Centurions allow pregame distractions to carry over in mistake-filled loss.

Distracted before the game even got started, the Saugus High softball team uncharacteristically made four mistakes and lost to Fullerton, 2-1, Tuesday in front of about 250 fans in a Southern Section Division II semifinal game at Fullerton College.

Saugus (27-3-1), top-seeded in the division, helped Fullerton’s cause with two passed balls, a wild pitch and a dropped popup in foul territory. Each of the mistakes contributed to the Indians’ two runs.

Saugus Coach Ron Hilton said loud music blaring from the public address system before the game distracted the Centurions.

“That music,” he said. “We’re trying to focus before the game and couldn’t. It’s a distraction.”

The partisan Fullerton crowd made its own music in the bottom of the seventh inning. With the scored tied, 1-1, with one out, Nadia Hoerner lined a single into left for the Indians. Ashley Jones was inserted as a pinch-runner and the crowd directly behind the backstop began a chant.

On her next delivery, Saugus’ Jamie Gillies threw a wild pitch and Jones went to second. A pitch later, Jones advanced to third on a passed ball. With each pitch the chant grew louder until Miller hit a 3-2 offering through the right side to score Jones and send the Indians into a frenzy.

Fullerton will play Bishop Amat, a 3-1 winner over Canyon on Tuesday, in the championship game.

“Some things are just destined to be,” Hilton said. “They did the things they had to do.”

Gillies (23-3), who pitched a four-hitter, struck out five and retired the first nine batters, placed the blame on herself. Hilton didn’t see it that way.

“That girl won 23 ballgames for us this season--she carried us all year,” Hilton said. “Jamie didn’t lose this game. There were three or four things we didn’t do right today.”

Saugus opened the scoring in the second inning when Nicole Giordano looped a single into shallow right field to drive in sister Jeanine, who had drawn a walk and advanced to second on Nicole Giacalone’s sacrifice.

Fullerton (18-13) pulled even in the fourth. Kiki McAulay led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on Alissa Sorrel’s sacrifice. With one out, Angie Fancuberta hit a popup foul, but third baseman Chris Gill took her eye off it at the last moment and dropped the ball.

“I don’t think she’s made an error all year,” Hilton said.

One pitch later, Fancuberta struck out, but McAulay went to third when the third strike got by catcher Jeanine Giordano for a passed ball.

Deborah Hargrave’s infield single drove in McAulay to tie the score.

Fancuberta (18-12) pitched a three-hitter, striking out four.