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SATURDAY’S CIF-SS SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS
(All games 3:15 p.m. unless noted)
DIVISION I
La Mirada (25-4) at La Habra (23-7)
Outlook: The Highlanders, ranked 16th in Division 1 entering the playoffs, have followed their ‘Why not us?’ rallying call to what they believe is their first Division 1 semifinal. La Habra needs to beat No. 4 seeded La Mirada to reach its first section final since 1982 in Division 3-A. The Highlanders are 9-2 at home. They hit four home runs in an 11-8 victory against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals to raise their season-total to 35.
JSerra (23-8) at Norco (28-2)
Outlook: The Lions, ranked sixth in Division 1, and No. 2 seed Norco split two games in regular season. JSerra ace Liliana Escobar pitched well in both games. She tossed a shutout with 13 strikeouts in a 2-0 win at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions. The Florida commit allowed one earned run and struck out 12 in a 2-1 loss in a nonleague game on April 11. The key for JSerra will be generating offense. The Lions were the Division 2 runner-up last season while Norco claimed Division 1.
DIVISION 2
St. Paul (19-12) at Whittier Christian (22-8-1), 11 a.m.
Outlook: The Heralds, ranked eighth in Division 2, are averaging 10.6 runs per game in the playoffs. Junior first baseman Mia Camacho is hitting .524 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs. Whittier Christian is seeking its first trip to the finals since 2010.
San Clemente (22-7) vs. Mater Dei (18-11), at Fountain Valley Sports Park
Outlook: The No. 2 seeded Monarchs are led by a deep lineup and pitcher Citlaly Valencia. The Tritons, who were 20th in the final division rankings, feature several college commits along with sophomore pitcher Luca Cifuentes. Mater Dei last reached the finals in 2016, the year in won Division 1. San Clemente is aiming for its first trip to the championship game.
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DIVISION 4
Burroughs of Burbank (17-13) at Mission Viejo (16-15)
Outlook: The Diablos, the third-place finisher in the South Coast League, were 17th in the final division rankings. Coach Clint Watson features a young squad with only two senior starters in Mars Ruvalcaba and Bailey McNeal. Sophomore Taylor Billings has been Mission Viejo’s ace. The Diablos are aiming to reach their first section final since winning Division 2 in 2022.
DIVISION 5
Covina (16-11-1) at Northwood (13-7-1), 1 p.m.
Outlook: The No. 2 seeded Timberwolves are seeking their first trip to the finals. The squad features strong hitters in Arizona commit Natalie Keith, Seattle commit Marissa Lee and junior Katerinna Rizos.
DIVISION 6
Granite Hills (13-8) at Irvine (14-16), noon
Outlook: It’s a clash of high-powered offenses. Irvine, led by Harper Vandermolen, is averaging 12.6 runs in the playoffs. Granite Hills enters averaging 20.3 runs. Vandermolen, an infielder who is committed to Bowling Green, is hitting .568 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. Irvine last reached the finals in 2023.
DIVISION 8
Capistrano Valley Christian (8-13) vs. Arroyo Valley (8-14), San Gorgonio High
Outlook: The Eagles were eighth in the final Division 8 rankings after placing third in the San Joaquin League. The league featured Division 2 qualifier Western Christian. CVC is led by sophomore pitcher McKenzie Meserve, freshman shortstop Liliana Martin and freshman catcher Kelly Whiton.
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