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Dan Albano’s top storylines to follow in the CIF-SS softball quarterfinals on Thursday:
Will Orange Lutheran and Pacifica remain on a collision course for the Division 1 final?
The top-seeded Lancers and No. 2 Mariners — also ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in Orange County, respectively — face stiff tests Thursday in the Division 1 quarterfinals. They also need to win Saturday in the semifinals. Yes, there is a long way to go before a showdown in the final but there’s a chance.
Orange Lutheran takes on up-and-coming Canyon, which looks like the county’s potential No. 1 team heading into 2025.
The Comanches won the teams’ last meeting, claiming a 2-1 victory in the 2022 final of the Michelle Carew Classic. Brianne Weiss pitched a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts but Canyon won behind Kylee Magee, who struck out 17. Magee now plays for Arizona State.
Pacifica makes the long drive to Oaks Christian, a talented squad that the Mariners beat 6-3 in the semifinals last season en route to the Division 1 title.
Will Zoe Prystajko and Huntington Beach get their revenge?
The Register’s reigning O.C. player of the year delivered a performance Oilers coach Jeff Forsberg called “vintage Zoe” in the Division 1 first round Tuesday. She dominated in the circle and hit a home run in a victory at Riverside Poly. On Thursday, the Stanford commit faces old nemesis Murrieta Mesa, which edged Huntington Beach 12-11 in the quarterfinals last season. Just like last spring, the Oilers are at home.
Can Mater Dei continue its late-season surge?
The Monarchs entered the Division 2 playoffs with a .500 record and were unranked in the division. Now, they’re one game away from the semifinals. Mater Dei has defeated two strong teams in Millikan and No. 1 seed El Modena to reach the quarterfinals against Beaumont. The Monarchs (13-11) face strikeout artist Cambria Salmon, a Texas signee, at Fountain Valley Sports Park.
Will Fullerton turn to Malaya Majam-Finch to knock off top-seeded West Torrance?
Majam-Finch, the Indians’ sophomore ace, has been slowed by a bruised knee but returned to the circle Tuesday to pitch one inning of relief of standout freshman Katelynn Mathews. Fullerton coach Trevor Holton has expressed confidence in both pitchers but plans to start Mathews in the circle at No. 1 seed West Torrance. Majam-Finch and Tianna Salcido will be options in relief, Holton said.
Fullerton has balanced offense and defense to support its pitchers.
Can Oxford Academy’s offense stay hot?
Orange County has nine teams left in the postseason, and that includes Oxford Academy, the No. 1 seed in Division 7. The Patriots have outscored their two playoff opponents a combined 36-5 entering a home quarterfinal game against A.B. Miller.
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