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CIF-SS SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine
THURSDAY
DIVISION 6
Irvine (15-16) vs. Arroyo (18-9), 4 p.m.
Outlook: The Vaqueros are sizzling on offense as they aim to claim their first section title since 1991 when their team included future Olympian Jennifer Brundage. Top-seeded Irvine is averaging 13.5 runs per game in the playoffs. Coach James Knapp credits the production to a balanced lineup. The top of the order features leadoff batter Katie Liu, Midori De Los Santos and Harper Vandermolen, has continued to deliver in the playoffs. Knapp said the key has been the support from the players lower in the lineup. “The top three hitters have continued to do what they normally do, but the bottom half (of the lineup) has stepped it up in the playoffs,” he said.
Vandermolen, who is committed to Bowling Green, leads the offense with a .576 average, 14 home runs and 46 RBIs. The senior infielder has hit a home run in three consecutive games. Liu, who is committed to Pomona-Pitzer, is hitting .549 after recording three consecutive multi-hit games. De Los Santos raised her average to .430 after four hits in the semifinals. The junior also pitches.
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Irvine played a tough nonleague schedule before tying Rosary atop the Pacific Coast League. The Vaqueros claimed their first league crown since 2016.
Arroyo, the runner-up in the Mission Valley League, finished seventh in the final Division 6 rankings. The Knights are averaging 11.5 runs per game in the playoffs.
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