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Several highly-ranked teams in the Orange County softball Top 25 will play this weekend at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz.
The prestigious tournament begins Thursday at 12:30 PST and runs through the championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. PST at Mohave High.
The tournament field included Orange County No. 1 Canyon (5-0), No. 2 Orange Lutheran (3-0), No. 3 JSerra (5-1) and No. 4 Pacifica (4-1), the defending tournament champion.
No. 6 Mater Dei (4-2-1), No. 7 El Modena (2-1), No. 9 Fullerton (4-1) and No. 10 Los Alamitos (0-4) are other top county entries.
Canyon’s draw appears challenging.
The Comanches open against Campo Verde of Arizona (2-4) in a play-in game Thursday afternoon and with a win would play face Murrieta Mesa — coming off a bye — in the second round on Thursday night.
Last season, Murrieta Mesa reached the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals, one round further than Canyon.
JSerra also will start in the play-in round. The Lions open with Coronado of Nevada (1-0), and with a win, would take on Sandra Day O’Connor of Arizona on Thursday night.
Fullerton has a difficult play-in game Thursday. The Indians face Hamilton of Arizona (2-0) on Thursday afternoon and with a victory would face Bonita in the second round on Thursday night. Hamilton has several college commitments.
Pacifica will navigate the tournament without sophomore pitcher Shay Kletke, who will miss several weeks with a fractured wrist, Mariners coach Tony Arduino said.
Pacifica opens against the Agoura-Highland of Arizona winner.
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