Heroes, happiness, heartbreak- The playoffs had it all
Acorn photographers Jann Hendry

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers ON TOP OF THE WORLD- Camarillo starting pitcher Jon Erb, middle, looks out from the bottom of a pile of Scorpion players celebrating their 60 victory over the Oxnard Yellowjackets in the CIFSouthern Section Division II semifinals on Tuesday. Said ACHS head coach Richard Jaquez: "It's indescribable for everybody involved. I was a nervous wreck from the time I woke up this morning."

and Bill Sparkes capture a week's

worth of thrills on the diamond

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SO CLOSE- Rio Mesa's Joe Ramirez stares in disbelief after he is tagged out while stealing second base in the bottom of the fifth inning Tuesday against Vista Murrieta. The Spartans were one out from making it to the CIF-SS Division II championship game against Camarillo, but Vista Murrieta rallied for a 5-4 victory. BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers COMEBACK KIDS- From left, Rio Mesa's Alex Ramirez, Sean Ardoin and Joe Ramirez celebrate Joe's game-winning single in the seventh inning to defeat Crescenta Valley in the quarterfinals. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PITCHING AND DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS- Garrett Rau, above and below, was sensational on the mound during Camarillo's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Temescal Canyon. He pitched a complete game, allowing one run and six hits. Rau also had the game-winning RBI. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers STRONG ARM- Senior Jessie Castro pitched a complete game to lead Cornerstone Christian to a 10-5 victory over Providence in the CIF-SS Division VII quarterfinals. During Tuesday's semifinal round, the top-seeded Eagles lost to Faith Baptist, 5-2.