Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

FRIDAY

DIVISION 3

TESORO (20-11) VS. BONITA (26-5-1)

Where, when: Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park, Irvine, 12:30 p.m.

Admission: $5-$12 at GoFan.co

Streaming: nfhsnetwork.com

Outlook: The Titans, the Sea View League champion and ranked seventh in the final division poll, face the No. 1 Bearcats in their first section final since winning Division 3 in 2009. Bonita is riding a 15-game unbeaten streak while Tesoro has won nine straight games. The Titans have used the contrasting tandem of senior Kennedy Hobson and freshman Loula-Rae McNamara in the circle. Hobson throws harder while McNamara features an excellent changeup. Tesoro supported both pitchers in the semifinals with strong defense, especially from third baseman Allison Kloft and shortstop Cadence Gilliliand. Bonita claimed the No. 1 seed after Canyon missed the playoffs but has impressed by outscoring four playoff foes a combined 20-4. Junior Brooklyn Shroyer (20-2, 1.00 ERA) leads the Bearcats in the circle

DIVISION 2

MILLIKAN (22-10) VS. MISSION VIEJO (25-5)

Where, when: Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park, Irvine, 6:30 p.m.

Admission: $5-$12 at GoFan.co

Streaming: nfhsnetwork.com

Outlook: The No. 2-seeded Diablos have cruised to their first section final since winning Division 2 in 2016 by outscoring their four opponents a combined 20-0. The South Coast League champion is led by sophomore pitcher Sofia Elliott, who also helps lead the offense. Elliott is 19-3 with a 1.88 ERA and hitting .453 with 16 home runs and 39 RBIs. Maryland-bound shortstop Sammi Woods bats leadoff and often provides a spark. Mission Viejo plays strong defense, especially in the outfield. Tennessee-Chattanooga-bound center fielder Shayna Glass helps anchor the group. Millikan, unranked in the final Division 2 poll, has knocked off Freeway League champion La Habra, No. 4 seeded South Hills and No. 1 Centennial Corona en route to the final. In the semifinals, sophomore pitcher Ava Schaffel collected 10 strikeouts.

SATURDAY

DIVISION 7

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN (26-1) VS. LINFIELD CHRISTIAN (16-8)

Where, when: Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park, Irvine, 9:30 a.m.

Admission: $5-$12 at GoFan.co

Streaming: nfhsnetwork.com

Outlook: The No. 2-seeded Eagles ride a 13-game winning streak into their first section final. They’re led by Grand Canyon-bound shortstop/pitcher Natalie Gleason, who is hitting .711 with a county-leading 18 home runs. The senior cleared fences on 16 of her 18 home runs en route to tying the single-season county record of 18 set by Mission Viejo’s Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza in 2013. Freshman Kylee Cammarato has started 26 of 27 games in circle for the Eagles and carries a 2.12 ERA. She has 143 strikeouts in 95 2/3 innings. At-large entry Linfield Christian, which tied for fourth in the Ambassador League, edged top-seeded Rosemead 10-9 in the quarterfinals en route to its first section final since 2001. Linfield Christian was a small-school power under late Southern Section commissioner Scott Raftery.

DIVISION 5

EL TORO (20-9) VS. CAJON (23-6)

Where, when: Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park, Irvine, 12:30 p.m.

Admission: $5-$12 at GoFan.co

Streaming: nfhsnetwork.com

Outlook: The No. 2-seeded Chargers bring a youthful roster to their section final since winning Division 3-A in 1990. Seventh-year coach Shannon Tinsley, sister of former El Toro star quarterback Trey Tinsley, has received contributions from sophomore pitcher Kylie Loertscher, freshman Camryn Bradshaw and a strong junior class. “Five juniors were starting on varsity as freshman,” Tinsley said. “After losing most of that season due to COVID. they’ve developed into great leaders and play-makers.” El Toro, the Sea View League runner-up to Tesoro, takes on No. 4 seed Cajon, which placed third in the challenging Citrus Belt League. The league included Division 1 Beaumont and Division 2 Yucaipa. In the semifinals, sophomore left-hander Jada Villegas recorded 12 strikeouts in a 4-1 win against top-seeded Fountain Valley. Syracuse-bound Vanessa Flores belted her team-leading eighth home run.

DIVISION 1

LOS ALAMITOS (24-7) VS. ROOSEVELT (26-3)

Where, when: Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park, Irvine, 6:30 p.m.

Admission: $5-$12 at GoFan.co

Streaming: nfhsnetwork.com

Outlook: The Griffins finished second in the Surf League and were unranked in the final Division 1 poll but have reached their first section final since winning Division 1 in 2017. Los Alamitos stunned top-seeded and undefeated Oaks Christian 4-0 in the semifinals and beat reigning SoCal champion and No. 4 Camarillo 10-7 in the quarterfinals. The Griffins are receiving timely hitting and strong pitching from Utah State-bound senior Sydney Saldana. No. 3 seeded Roosevelt, the Division 1 runner-up to Esperanza last season, has lost to only one Orange County team: Villa Park, The Spartans edged Roosevelt 4-3 in the quarterfinals of the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz. The Mustangs have scored a combined 30 runs in their four playoff wins. Sophomore Priscilla Llamas leads the team in circle and also is one of the team’s top hitters. She had two hits and a two RBIs against Villa Park.

Related Articles