In an unusual twist of fate, Escalon’s softball season is not over.

Though the varsity girls traveled to take on top seed West Valley in Cottonwood and lost by a 14-5 final on Thursday afternoon, June 4, it was later determined an ineligible player suited up for the NorCal semifinal contest for West Valley, forcing the squad to forfeit the game.

That gives Escalon new life, as they will travel to Alisal High School in Salinas to play for the NorCal Division IV championship on Saturday, June 6.

The ruling from the California Interscholastic Federation indicated that the ineligible West Valley player had – in violation of CIF Bylaw 600 – played for her travel softball team while still playing for her high school team. The squad then had to forfeit the semifinal victory, and Escalon, which believed its season was over, instead has an opportunity to play for a NorCal title.

EHS Athletic Director Andrew Beam said that information brought to light following Thursday afternoon’s game was provided to the CIF, which in turn investigated. Beam then said he received a call Friday morning from CIF officials, indicating that West Valley had admitted to the violation and were forfeiting the contest.

“It’s crazy,” Beam said. “The girls met for a brief practice today and now they get a second chance.”

Many tears were shed Thursday after the loss; but now the Lady Cougars will look to focus all their emotions on the positive opportunity ahead of them.

Game time against Alisal – the number two seed in Division IV – is 1 p.m.

Escalon entered the NorCal tournament as the number five seed and defeated number four Alhambra in the opening round on Tuesday, June 2 on the road in Martinez, setting up the long trip to West Valley for the semifinals on Thursday.

Beam said some of the Escalon girls, in fact, were getting ready to start playing on their travel teams in tournaments this weekend, but now will continue the high school season for one more contest.