LOS ALAMITOS — The CIF Southern Section released its softball playoff pairings this past weekend and more than a handful of local teams will be competing to be the last team standing before the school year ends.
The softball playoffs will be a seven-divisional format, with 234 total teams entered. The single-elimination tournaments began earlier this week with contests where necessary, followed by first-round games in all divisions Thursday, May 5. The championships will be held in Deanna Manning Stadium at Colonel Bill Barber Park in Irvine on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21. All games, with the exception of championship games, are scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All championship games will be livestreamed by Bally Sports West and the NFHS Network.
No local teams from our area received top seeds, but Murrieta Mesa, the Southwestern League co-champion and No. 1 team in the local press rankings, opens up the Division 1 playoffs at home Thursday against Ayala (13-6). The Lady Rams (23-7) would face Norco or California in the second round should they advance.
CIF-SS SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS
DIVISION 1
– Wild-card games, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
No local teams
– First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
Ayala at Murrieta Mesa
Great Oak at Pacifica/GG
Vista Murrieta at Villa Park
DIVISION 2
– Wild-card games, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
No local teams
– First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
No local teams
DIVISION 3
– Wild-card game, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
No local teams
– First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
Heritage at Cerritos
Arlington at Temescal Canyon
Hemet at La Quinta
DIVISION 4
– Wild-card games, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
No local teams
– First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
Village Christian at Orange Vista
Palm Desert at Santa Rosa Academy
DIVISION 5
– Wild-card games, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
– Winner WC C at San Jacinto
DIVISION 6
– Wild-card games, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
B: West Valley at Arrowhead Christian
– First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
Winner WC B at Indio
Pioneer at Elsinore
Costa Mesa at San Jacinto Valley Academy
Lakeside at Katella
DIVISION 7
– Wild-card games, Tuesday, May 3, 3:15 p.m.
No local teams
– First round, Thursday, May 5, 3:15 p.m.
Rosemead at Cornerstone Christian
California Lutheran at Lennox Academy
Linfield Christian at Noli Indian
Animo Leadership at Tahquitz
Nuview Bridge at Anza Hamilton
* Playoff brackets can also be seen on the CIF-SS website on the sport’s page at www.cifss.org.
** If we missed any local high school teams, or posted scores are wrong, please report them to the Valley News Sports Department by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
