Six local softball teams to watch in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs
The high school softball playoffs begin Tuesday with wild-card games followed by first-round games Thursday. Seventeen area teams qualified for the postseason. The pairings were released Saturday morning.
Here are six teams to watch, followed by the matchups for all local teams:
Oaks Christian (26-1-1): The defending CIF-SoCal Division 1 regional champions are seeded fifth in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 after sweeping through the Marmonte League at 15-0. The Lions await the winner of Tuesday’s wild-card winner between Villa Park and Chino Hills. Senior Anahi Arreola leads the state with 17 home runs. Outfielder Ilove’a Brittingham is tied for 13th in the section with 10 home runs. Oaks Christian has hit 57 home runs in 28 games.
Camarillo (16-5): The Scorpions’ season took a unfortunate detour on April 19, when ace Ainsley Berlingeri suffered a season-ending knee injury on Senior Day against Simi Valley. The University of Nevada commit was 11-0 with a 0.63. Camarillo lost its next three games, including the Coastal Canyon League decider against Moorpark, 5-4, on Thursday. Senior Ava Tepesano and freshman Lea Tapia steadied the ship Friday, when they combined for a 12-3 win over Saugus. Camarillo visits Mission Viejo on Tuesday in the Division 1 wild-card round.
Moorpark (18-1): The come-from-behind Coastal Canyon League title allowed the Musketeers to clinch the top seed in CIF-SS Division 2. Moorpark will host El Segundo in Thursday’s first round. The defending Division 4 finalists are led by their star-studded junior class, which includes pitcher Madison Finnerty, who is 10-1 with a 2.04 ERA; third baseman Driana Martinez, who is hitting .548 with 10 doubles; shortstop Shae Anderson, who has slugged eight home runs; and catcher Daniela Isarraras.
Rio Mesa (23-3-1): The Channel League champions were seeded No. 2 in CIF-SS Division 2. The Spartans warmed up for their postseason run Thursday by pushing Division 1 powerhouse Oaks Christian in a 3-2 home loss. Catcher Mariana Palazuelos hit her team-leading 10th home run of the season. The 1-2 pitching punch of Jasmine Reyes (11-0, 0.62 ERA) and Nicolette Hunter (11-3, 0.44 ERA) gives Rio Mesa, which hosts Royal in Thursday’s first round, a postseason edge.
Santa Paula (21-5): The Citrus Coast champions have been powered by the two-way threat of Liliana Arana, who is hitting .526 with eight home runs and is also 11-3 with a 1.43 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 80.2 innings. Fellow senior KaiLea Reyes is 9-2 with a 1.67 ERA. The Cardinals will host either Grace Brethren or Alverno Heights in Thursday’s Division 5 first round.
Santa Clara (10-6): Freshman Kadyn Sanchez has made an impact in her debut season for the Saints, who came from behind to edge St. Bonaventure in the Tri-Valley League race. Senior Abriele Ramirez and junior Alehsandra Martinez are also hitting better than .500. Santa Clara will host either Mark Keppel or Apple Valley in the Division 5 first round Thursday.
CIF-Southern Section softball playoff pairings
DIVISION 1
Wild card, Tuesday
Westlake at Huntington Beach
Camarillo at Mission Viejo
First round, Thursday
Villa Park or Chino Hills at Oaks Christian
DIVISION 2
First round, Thursday
El Segundo at Moorpark
Agoura at Anaheim-Canyon
Royal at Rio Mesa
DIVISION 4
First round, Thursday
Buena at Burbank-Burroughs
Oak Park at Dos Pueblos
Burbank at Fillmore
Oxnard at Flintridge-Sacred Heart
DIVISION 5
Wild card, Tuesday
Rowland Heights-Southlands Christian at St. Bonaventure
Grace Brethren at Alverno Heights
First round, Thursday
Mark Keppel or Apple Valley at Santa Clara
Grace Brethren or Alverno Heights at Santa Paula
DIVISION 6
Wild card, Tuesday
Nordhoff at Sierra Vista
DIVISION 7
First round, Thursday
Hueneme at Flintridge Prep
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Six local teams to watch in the CIF-SS softball playoffs
