After a one run, extra inning thriller got the girls softball team into the final four, another one run extra inning game sent the team home in tears.

On Friday, May 8, the varsity softball team ended their season with 1-0 loss to Newsome High School in the 8A state semifinal.

Ending last season second in the state, Vero Beach was not unfamiliar territory for the team. However, going into the game was unusual for the girls.

“It felt funny going into the game,” outfielder Morgan Pleasants said. “It was just the atmosphere and the stress and pressure of it that made it feel different from what we’ve been used to.”

With a game dominated by quality pitching and aggressive defense, both Sam Worrell and Claire Feldman had exceptional performances. Feldman recorded nine strikeouts for Newsome as Worrell had five to send the game into an extra inning tied 0-0.

“It was hard to manufacture runs against a dominate pitcher and she definitely dominated today,” head coach David Stone said.

The eighth inning was filled with action as both teams got runners on base. In the top of the eighth, Worrell hit a two-out triple before catcher Alicia Tomberlin’s fly ball was caught to end the top-half of the inning. Errors in a dropped catch at first and a bobble near right field gave Newsome runners on second and third with no outs. However, the team fought their way back and caught one runner leading off at third, and, after an intentional walk, Worrell recorded a strikeout for the second out. But with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the eighth, Newsome’s Liv Chandler hit a rocket to center field to send teammate Cassidy Davis in for the winning score.

Newsome will play Coral Reef High School in the 8A state final tomorrow at 4:30.