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CIF SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL FINALS
All games at Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine
FRIDAY
DIVISION 1
Orange Lutheran (21-3) vs. Pacifica (26-2), 7 p.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Lancers and No. 2 Mariners split two games during the regular season but both meetings were shortened by tournament time limits. Pacifica won the first game 3-0 at the Dave Kops tournament behind ace Brynne Nally (21-2, 1.05 ERA) and two home runs by shortstop Kaniya Bragg. The Lancers bounced back for a 5-1 win at the Carew Classic behind ace Brianne Weiss (19-1, 0.75 ERA) and three RBIs from catcher Zara Mineo-Schrank.
Orange Lutheran, seeking its first Division 1 title, features a scrappy, high-contact lineup that likes to run on the bases. Center fielder Kai Minor leads the team with a .426 average. Leadoff batter Mya Diaz is for 7 for 11 in the playoffs while cleanup hitter Mineo-Schrank leads the team with 24 RBIs.
Pacifica, the defending champion, counters with its own determined lineup. No. 9 batter Malia Cuevas drove in the winning run with a two-out single with two outs in the fifth in a 1-0 win at JSerra in the semifinals.
Senior catcher Delaina Ma’ae has three three-hit games in her past nine games and leads the lead with a .515 average. Bragg leads the team in home runs (seven) and RBIs (26) and is a slick defender.
Pacifica features more speed this season with addition of freshman leadoff batter Mattea Stern (20 stolen bases).
Orange Lutheran coach Steve Miklos, in his 27th season, has kept the Lancers focused on playing their game — pitching, defense and balanced offense — while not putting too much pressure on his players.
Pacifica coach Tony Arduino, his third section final for baseball and softball, wants his players to “block out the noise” and focus Friday but also cherish their opportunity. He openly discusses the challenges of facing Weiss and Minor.
“Weiss is tough and we need to string the quality at-bats together to have success,” he said. “Keeping Kai off base is a major priority.”
SATURDAY
DIVISION 7
Eastside of Lancaster (22-10) vs. Oxford Academy (25-5), 10 a.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Patriots and No. 3 Lions have racked up the runs in reaching their first section final. Oxford Academy is averaging 13 runs in the playoffs while Eastside is averaging 15.
The Patriots have blended several talented younger players, including freshman ace Emily Ganguly (22-4, 3.71 ERA), with veterans such as senior catcher Ella Pace (.618, 39 RBIs) and senior center fielder Monique Rojas (.515).
Eastside had made major strides after finishing 4-11 last season. The Lions also feature a strong freshman in Hailey Lavendier, who earned the victory in an 8-6 triumph against Muir in the semifinals. Senior April Medrano helped lead the offense in the win with two doubles while Lavendier added one.
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