Under the lights of ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood, in one of the biggest games in program history, the Southern Regional baseball team felt the humbling heartbreak of defeat.

In its first-ever Shore Conference Tournament Championship appearance on May 22, Southern fell short against second-seeded Christian Brothers Academy in a crushing, 1-0 loss defined by passion, mistakes and missed opportunities.

“You’ve got to tip your cap to them. We battled, but in a one-run game, it can go anyone’s way,” said head coach Ed…