SAN LEANDRO — When Aptos High’s softball team arrived back at home Friday night, following an 11-3 season-ending loss to host San Leandro in the CIF Division IV NorCal Regional semifinals, it wasn’t just the end of another lengthy road trip. It was the end of an historic expedition.

Five road games and 660 miles after their playoff journey began, the low-seeded and travel-destined Mariners’ historic playoff run came to an abrupt end at windy Burrell Field.

In defeat, the youth-laden Mariners, who graduate just four senior starters, held their head high. And rightfully so.

After finishing in second place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League behind Scotts Valley, the Mariners (18-9 overall) became the first team in school history to reach a Central Coast Section final, doing so as the

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