There was a different look in Teagan Gerhart's eyes this season. Norco softball coach Rick Robinson called it a glare of determination.

In many ways, Gerhart's career had mirrored the football career of older brother Toby. The siblings were part of great Norco teams and often dominated the competition, but their first three seasons failed to produce a CIF title.

"You could tell she had some unfinished business to take care of," Robinson said. "Something was missing."

Gerhart, a senior pitcher headed to Stanford, pieced together her finest season, going 30-2 in the circle with a 0.35 earned run average and 339 strikeouts in 223 innings.

And like her brother, Gerhart ended her career on a winning note, as she led Norco to a 5-1 victory over rival Corona Santiago in the CIF Division 1 title game.

For her accomplishments, Gerhart has been selected the HS GameTime softball Player of the Year.

Gerhart, the Riverside County Player of the Year in 2007, was a true model of consistency this season. She tossed 16 shutouts and allowed more than one run only four times, doing this against several state- and nationally-ranked teams. When someone managed a solid hit off her, Gerhart stepped back into the circle without blinking an eye.

"She has a coolness inside that circle and she never gets rattled," Vista Murrieta coach Dan Torres said. "She keeps the same expression on her face and comes back at you tenaciously."

Gerhart was among the state leaders in strikeouts, but her average per seven innings (10.6) was slightly down from previous years.

"She knew she had a strong defense behind her," Robinson said. "She trusted her teammates and realized she didn't have to strike everyone out to win a game.

"That's what impressed me most. Year after year, Teagan grew as a pitcher. She raised the bar and took things to another level."

Masucci coach of year

Dave Masucci, who led a young Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda team to the Division 2 championship, has been chosen the area's Coach of the Year.

Masucci had a roster of talented players, but with only two senior starters, the Eagles appeared to be a year away from title contention.

The Eagles quickly moved up the timetable, opening the season with 14 straight victories. Etiwanda finished 27-2, closing the year with a 10-game win streak. The Eagles stunned Vista Murrieta 4-0 in the Division 2 title game.

The attention Masucci placed on defense and execution was a key factor in his team's success.

"Dave gets his players fired up and he does a wonderful job teaching the fundamentals of the game," San Bernardino Cajon coach Jerry Tivey said. "They showed pride and passion in being a team who plays solid defense and executes in timely situations."

Reach Eric-Paul Johnson at 951-368-9530 or ejohnson@PE.com

All-area softball teams

All-area softball honorable mentions