El Toro Glad to See the Last of Woodbridge’s Robitaille

El Toro softball Coach Jim Daugherty breathed a sigh of relief just moments after his team lost to Woodbridge on Wednesday.

“The Christy Robitaille era is over--at least for us,” said Daugherty, whose team was no-hit by the Woodbridge pitcher.

Robitaille, a senior, walked one and struck out seven in a 1-0 Sea View League victory, which clinched for third-ranked Woodbridge (24-4-1, 6-0 in league) a share of its 16th consecutive softball title.

El Toro, ranked eighth in Orange County, is 16-10, 3-3.

El Toro freshman Brittany Lindheim nearly had two hits. Her line drive leading off the game was snared by leaping left fielder Brittany Ziegler, and her grounder into the hole was cut off by Erica Greenberg, who threw Lindheim out at first.

An error and walk gave El Toro a scoring threat in the fifth inning, but Robitaille (16-2), who threw only 78 pitches, struck out the next three batters.

“I’m more of a pressure pitcher,” Robitaille said. “Having runners on base makes me dig down deep.”

Woodbridge scored the winning run in the first inning. Natasha Watley was safe on an error, took second on a grounder and third on a passed ball. Then Greenberg beat out a bouncer up the middle for a single and run batted in.

Susan Churchwell (8-6), who was defeated by Robitaille, 1-0, in 10 innings the last time they played, pitched a five-hitter.