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A record six Orange County schools will play for CIF-SS softball championships this week at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.
The combination of JSerra, Mater Dei, Whittier Christian, Mission Viejo, Northwood and Irvine gives the county its largest number of finalists in one season.
The previous record of five was achieved multiple times, including last season.
“There are great players everywhere (in Orange County),” said Rosary coach Tom Tice, whose school competed this season against Irvine and Northwood in the Pacific Coast League and previously faced Mater Dei in the Trinity League.
“I think it’s cool that the family tree of O.C. softball has influenced new generations. We have always been one of the hotbeds of softball and I guarantee that (these) six teams have players whose moms or even grandmothers played softball in and around Orange County when it was becoming world popular.”
The section championships run Thursday through Saturday at Deanna Manning Stadium in Col. Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park.
On Thursday, Irvine (15-16) will open the finals by playing Arroyo of El Monte (19-9) in Division 6 at 4 p.m.
Top-seeded Irvine overcame an 1-11 start to reach its first section final since 2023. The Vaqueros are averaging an eye-popping 13.5 runs in the playoffs.
Senior infielder Harper Vandermolen, who is committed to Bowling Green, has hit a home run in three consecutive games to push her season total to 14.
Friday will be Orange County’s marquee day.
Mater Dei (19-11) and Whittier Christian (23-8-1) collide in the Division 2 championship at 4 p.m.
Mater Dei and Whittier Christian reached the playoffs from strikingly different leagues. The Monarchs faced Division 1 competition in the Trinity League while Whittier Christian’s toughest competition in the Olympic League was Division 3 Valley Christian.
However, Mater Dei and Whittier Christian both feature powerful offenses. The No. 2-seeded Monarchs are averaging 7.3 runs in the playoffs while the Heralds are averaging 10.8.
Whittier Christian first baseman Mia Camacho has hit a home run in three consecutive games to raise her total to a school-record 16. The junior is one behind Sunny Hills’ Elayna Marquez for the county lead.
“They hit for each other and it’s incredible how they’ve supported each other,” Whittier Christian coach Dale Van Duyn said of the Heralds’ offense.
JSerra (24-8) takes on La Mirada (26-4) in the Division 1 final Friday at 7 p.m.
JSerra are reached its first Division 1 championship to continue its rise under eighth-year coach Katie Stith.
Last season, the Lions lost to Los Alamitos 1-0 in 10 innings in a dramatic Division 2 final.
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In 2024, JSerra reached its first Division 1 semifinal, falling to eventual champion Pacifica 1-0.
“The level and the expectations of this program over the last few years has definitely changed,” Stith said. “They believe that they’re one of the big teams … and that’s all the difference in the world.”
On Saturday, the county’s schedule features another doubleheader.
Northwood (14-7-1) debuts in the section finals by facing Grace of Simi Valley (17-10) in the Division 5 final at 10 a.m.
The No. 2-seeded Timberwolves have averaged 11.8 runs in the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2025.
Northwood has blended several returners with freshman Olivia Chen, a top hitter and pitcher for the team.
“Her ability in the circle has shifted things for us, but having her support offensively is huge,” fourth-year Northwood coach Maddy Grimm said of Chen.
Mission Viejo (17-15) closes the weekend against Oxnard (16-10-1) in the Division 4 final at 4 p.m.
The Diablos feature only two seniors. They overcame a 2-5 start to the season to reach their first section final since 2022.
“(It’s a) young group that’s gained experience through out the season,” Mission Viejo coach Clint Watson said of his team.
The section finals span eight divisions. All the games will stream live on the NFHS Network.
Tickets are available on gofan.co. General admission is $15.70 with students/children at $8.35
NOTES
Grimm plays professionally for the Atlanta Smoke. She is missing spring training because of the Timberwolves’ playoff run but added, “(it’s) well worth it.”
Pacifica softball coach Tony Arduino said a few of his players evacuated because of the chemical threat in Garden Grove. …
The rosters for the Orange County all-star game could be released on Wednesday. The game for seniors is June 10 at Deanna Manning Stadium.