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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Capistrano Valley Christian’s historic softball season ended Thursday but not before one more record-setting blast from Natalie Gleason and a few more flashes of potential from the Eagles’ freshmen.
Gleason added to her Orange County record for home runs in a season by belting her 20th in a 5-3 loss to visiting Nipomo in the Division V semifinals of the CIF SoCal Regional playoffs at Cook Park.
The clash of section champions was decided by a home run surrendered by Gleason, a go-ahead, two-run shot from shortstop Anissa Garcia in the fifth inning.
Garcia’s first home run of the season snapped a 3-3 tie and helped send the fourth-seeded Titans (13-11-1) into Saturday’s final at No. 2 Caruthers in Fresno County.
The pitching of Hawaii-bound Key-annah Pu’a (six strikeouts in seven innings) and Nipomo’s sparkling defense also factored in the loss for the top-seeded Eagles (28-2), the CIF-SS Division 7 champion. The Eagles had a 15-game winning streak snapped.
“It comes down to that — a home run — and it (stinks) but that’s just how life goes,” said third-year coach CVC James Crawford. “But I’m super proud of the girls. Natalie has been our captain and she has really set the tone for CVCS and hopefully we can keep it rolling.”
Gleason, a senior bound for Grand Canyon University, sent a 1-1 fastball from Pu’a over the fence in right in the first inning for a two-run home run that cut Nipomo’s lead to 3-2.
CVC tied the score 3-3 in the third inning with a two-out double by freshman Savi Maier, who went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and made a diving catch at shortstop in the fifth.
Gleason started the game at shortstop but relieved freshman Kylee Cammarato in the circle to start the fourth.
Gleason powered the Eagles to their first section title and school-record 28 victories with her bat. In the first round of regional play Tuesday, she broke Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza’s single-season county record of 18 home runs for Mission Viejo in 2013.
After her final game Thursday, Gleason and senior utility Alexa Stewart rounded the bases in a postseason ceremony.
“Kind of overwhelmed,” Gleason said of the sendoff. “I didn’t think (20 home runs) was possible. I was kind of blown away after that hit (today), too. I was, ‘Wow, it’s been quiet a season.’ “
CVC also showcased its future with two hits by freshman first baseman and leadoff batter Katelynn Cammarato and freshman catcher Evie Darnell throwing out a base runner in the second.
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