Camarillo Banished by Forfeit : Softball: Illegal practice forces team’s ouster from playoffs.

The Camarillo High softball team had its season abruptly ended Thursday, just hours before the Scorpions were to face Mater Dei in the Division I quarterfinals.

Camarillo Principal Terry Tackett called the Southern Section office on Thursday morning and forfeited Tuesday’s 3-0 second-round victory over San Marcos after learning that a Scorpion player had an illegal practice with Coach Darwin Tolzin on Sunday.

“We did what we thought was right,” Tackett said, explaining the forfeit.

Tolzin refused comment.

The allegations were prompted by comments from a Camarillo player after Tuesday’s game.

Scorpion center fielder Jefflyn Spahr, talking to reporters about her three hits, attributed her success to the extra batting practice she took with Tolzin on Sunday.

“I thought I’d better do well today after he helped me on Sunday,” Spahr reportedly said. “. . . I did pretty bad the past two games so I needed some extra swings. Coach pitched to me for about an hour on Sunday. It got me ready for today.”

Spahr’s comments, published in Ventura County and Santa Barbara, drew reaction from San Marcos officials, who notified the Southern Section.

Tackett, investigating on behalf of the Southern Section, said he spoke with the parties involved and determined that an illegal practice had not taken place. The Southern Section issued a release Wednesday afternoon indicating that the Scorpions (22-6-1) had been cleared to play Mater Dei.

But Tackett received a phone call at about 8 a.m. Thursday from a man who said he was running on the school’s track Sunday when he saw Tolzin holding a practice.

“After I investigated again, I determined that I had not been told the truth [the first time],” Tackett said.

Camarillo’s place in the playoffs was taken by San Marcos.

Fans started arriving at the Camarillo field on Thursday just as Tolzin was explaining the situation to his players in the dugout.