Hillsdale endures emotional loss in CCS Division I softball finals

Between the postgame huddle and receiving the tragic news, Hillsdale head coach Eryn (née McCoy) Butcher hugged each of her players as though it was the last time.

“It’s hard,” Butcher said. “I’ve known this group of girls for a really long time, and they’re special. They love softball and it’s hard to see it end.”

Sunday, the Knights got word their season was indeed over, as they did not receive a CIF Nor Cal at-large bid.

“I think just try to not look at this and look back at our season, and just be proud of how far we’ve come,” Hillsdale senior Mia DeMartini said. “Be proud of my career in general.”

DeMartini and seniors Taylor O’Mahony and Sophia Shelton have become synonymous with Hillsdale softball as four-year varsity standouts. The three grew up playing San Mateo Youth Softball, while DeMartini and Shelton first teamed as 7-year-olds when they were moved up and named to the 8-and-under All-Star team.

“They love softball and since their freshman year they stepped on and made an impact and wanted to play,” Butcher said, “and kept their heads high, and kept energy high and always craved for the ball. They just love softball.”

Each of the three seniors recorded 1-for-3 days Saturday at San Jose City College, though is was a pair of juniors who turned in the best at-bats of the morning.

Junior two-way standout Lola Jones not only recorded a complete game in the circle, she gave No. 4-seed Hillsdale (19-10) a brief lead in the top of the four when she connected for a no-doubt two-run home run to left to swing the Knights ahead 2-1.

“Best emotion of the day,” DeMartini said. “It was great. I knew right off the bat that it was going out. But I think it lit somewhat of a fire under us ... and gave us a little bit of momentum for that inning.”

The most spirited at-bat was junior Kara Chea’s pinch-hit appearance in the seventh.

The left-handed hitting slasher locked up with Alisal starting pitcher Abigail Walker for a gritty 10-pitch battle, fouling off four two-strike offerings before sending a line drive toward shallow left-center. Only a highlight-reel play from Alisal shortstop Brooklyn Smith was able to deny Chea, as Smith ranged into left-center to make a diving grab for the second out of the inning.

“She never gave up,” Butcher said of Chea, who logged 30 at-bats in a reserve role this season. “She was a little nervous ... but she had fun. She took those deep breaths and she handled the at-bat really great.”

Jones and Walker engaged in a fine pitching duel, with Alisal breaking a scoreless tie in the third by virtue of an unearned run. Alisal No. 9 hitter Ameryse Thatcher reached on an error when a comebacker glanced off Jones’ glove. Then Aubrey Jones reached on a bunt play when Jones’ throw for a force out was dropped. Micah Smith then made the errors hurt with a sacrifice fly to center to give the Lady Trojans a 1-0 lead.

“When we do make the errors, they tend to come back and bite us a little bit because you can’t defend them,” Butcher said.

Hillsdale responded in the bottom of the inning. DeMartini sparked a two-out rally by slamming a double off the center-field wall. Then Jones delivered her third home run of the year to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. But the lead was brief, at Alisal connected for a two-run home run of its own in the top of the fourth. Brooklyn Smith led off the inning with a walk, and Chloe Ruvalcaba drove a long-gone two-run home run to left to put the Trojans back on top.

“[Jones] pitched great,” Butcher said. “One hit really kind of determined the game, one walk. She can’t save the whole game. She did her part on both sides of the ball, as she always does.”

Alisal added an insurance run in the fifth. Thatcher led off with a bloop single to right. Then Aubrey Jones executed the Trojans’ third sacrifice of the day by bunting Thatcher to second, and Brooklyn Smith produced a two-out single to right to make it 4-2.

Walker went on to retire 13 of the final 14 batters she faced.

“I think she did well,” DeMartini said. “She did good at hitting her spots and working both sides of the plate, which most high school pitchers don’t do. And I think multiple times through the order, some of our hitters still couldn’t get to her. So, I think that’s just an ode to her, keeping her ball moving and keeping people on their toes.”

DeMartini — who is committed to play at University of Nevada, Reno next year — said it was hard walking off the diamond not knowing if the team would ever play another game together.

“I hugged Eryn and we both cried,” DeMartini said. “It’s emotional for sure.”