Photo Gallery: 2008-09 HS GameTime year-end honorees

The Corona Santiago and Norco softball teams have given the Inland area one of its best rivalries this decade. Every time these teams stepped on the same field, something big was at stake.

The stakes were highest June 6 as the Big VIII League rivals squared off in the Division 1 championship game before a packed crowd at Barber Park in Irvine.

"That game had it all," Norco coach Rick Robinson said. "The two best teams ... the two best pitchers ... and the biggest title was on the line."

Norco used a late offensive outburst and got another strong pitching performance from Teagan Gerhart to top Santiago, 5-1, for the title. The game has been chosen the HS GameTime girls event of the year.

The Division 1 title game was hyped for being the ninth and final pitching showdown between Gerhart and Kamerin May.

Gerhart was seeking her first title, while May was looking for her second, making the game arguably the most anticipated in Inland softball history.

Robinson said his sister, Cougars pitching coach Beth Windham, was getting messages on Facebook in the days before the game.

"People were coming out of the woodwork," Robinson said. "Everyone was excited and wanted to be there."

Norco had chances early, but May made clutch pitches and battled out of the jams. Norco left eight runners on base through four innings, and the teams were locked in a scoreless tie.

The Cougars broke through against May in the fifth inning with four runs. It was more than enough for Gerhart, who capped her career with a seven-hitter.

Following the game and championship ceremonies, May walked across the field and gave a long, tearful embrace to her best friend and fellow champion

"That's still what it's all about," Corona coach JoAnn Byrd said after seeing that embrace.

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

STORY: Boys event of the year