Last Mistake Most Costly to Laguna Hills

A number of little mistakes led to Laguna Hills’ demise during Tuesday’s Southern Section Division III softball semifinal. But the last one stands out the most.

After tying the score in the top of the seventh, the visiting Hawks fell to Hacienda Heights Wilson on a wild play at the plate in a 2-1 season-ending defeat.

With one out and Jaslyn Espinoza at first in the bottom of the seventh, Wilson’s Jamee Juarez hit a ball to deep right that was misjudged by Laguna Hills’ Erica Corley. Espinoza didn’t leave first base until the ball hit the ground and by the time the Laguna Hills relay throw reached the plate, Espinoza was at third with Juarez standing just feet behind her.

As soon as Laguna Hills catcher Katie Schorling snapped a throw to shortstop Stephanie Morgan, Espinoza left for the plate. Morgan threw back to Schorling for what looked like a sure out, but the ball was dropped on the tag. Run scored, game over.

Wilson will play Pacifica for the section title Saturday. Laguna Hills (21-10) will look back on a game of missed opportunities and mental lapses.

“I told the team that this was not a one-play game,” said Laguna Hills Coach Cary Crouch. “We lost this game because we didn’t put the ball on the ground. If we had hit quality balls today there’s no telling what could have happened.”

Trailing 1-0, Laguna Hills pushed a run across in the seventh on a one-out Jackie Eliades single with the bases loaded. Still, the Hawks left runners at second and third.