The CIF Southern Section baseball playoffs are off to an electric start, with teams across various divisions battling to keep their seasons alive. The first round, held on Thursday and Friday, delivered thrilling finishes, dominant performances, and plenty of drama. Here’s how local teams fared and what lies ahead in the tournament.
Division 1
Vista Murrieta made an emphatic playoff debut with an explosive first inning that secured an 8-6 victory over Harvard-Westlake. Vaughn Neckar and RJ Holmes delivered key home runs, helping the Broncos (23-5-1) score all eight of their runs in the opening frame. Neckar also took the win on the mound, with Dylan Berentis closing out the game for the save. The Broncos will face St. John Bosco on Tuesday in the next round, hoping to ride their early momentum.

Division 3
Great Oak silenced San Marino with a comprehensive 7-0 victory in their first-round matchup. Reagan Ricken and Roy Kim carried the Wolfpack (13-16), combining for 12 strikeouts while allowing just two hits. Paul Wesley Shanabarger contributed offensively by driving in two runs. The win sets up an exciting local showdown against Southwestern League rival Temecula Valley on Tuesday.
Temecula Valley overcame St. Paul in a marathon 12-inning affair, prevailing 4-3 thanks to Rocco Pugliese scoring the walk-off run on an error. The Golden Bears (17-11) leaned on Taden Krogsgaard, who pitched nearly seven innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. The much-anticipated matchup against Great Oak awaits, as Temecula Valley looks to extend their playoff run.
Paloma Valley fell just short in their contest against Castaic, losing 7-6 despite home runs from Jaxon Baker and Robby Bland. Temescal Canyon’s season also came to an end in a 13-4 loss to Beckman.

Division 4
Murrieta Mesa secured a 6-0 victory over Santa Monica while Linfield Christian, however, had their playoff hopes dashed in a tight 3-2 loss to Sonora.
Division 5
Citrus Hill clinched a nail-biter against Rancho Christian with a walk-off single in the seventh inning, earning a 2-1 win. Joel Raya was the hero at the plate, while Efren Urrea’s nine-strikeout performance on the mound was a standout. Citrus Hill heads to Highland on Tuesday, ready for another test.
Elsinore kept their playoff hopes alive with a strong 4-0 win over Covina. Brayden Stankus and Andrew Jimenez combined for a three-hitter, giving the Tigers (19-7) a comfortable path to the second round against Bishop Montgomery.
Liberty also moved forward with a 7-3 victory over Santa Paula, while other local teams in Division 5, such as Heritage, Tahquitz, and Orange Vista, saw their seasons end after tough losses.
Division 7 and beyond
San Jacinto Valley Academy grabbed a 6-4 win over Lancaster Desert Christian, led by Chayce Paine’s two RBIs. The Wolves (20-9) will now host Fillmore in the second round, hoping to extend their playoff campaign.
Nuview Bridge’s offense was unstoppable, as they delivered a resounding 17-0 win over Gorman Charter. Ethen Rivera headlined with a home run and four RBIs, while Tobias Olague chipped in three RBIs of his own. Their next stop is Ojai Valley on Tuesday.
St. Jeanne de Lestonnac earned a gritty 13-7 win over Environmental Charter, with Sean Bender leading the way with four RBIs. They are now preparing for an all-local clash with Santa Rosa Academy, who advanced with an 8-6 win over Cathedral City thanks to Logan Ledesma’s contributions at the plate and on the mound.
What’s Next
The second round is shaping up to be just as dramatic and competitive, with several local matchups promising thrilling action. Key games to keep an eye on include the Great Oak vs. Temecula Valley rivalry and Citrus Hill’s visit to Highland. Fans of the sport can expect no shortage of excitement as these teams battle for a shot at CIF-SS glory.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow our local teams through their playoff journeys.
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