SOFTBALL: Temple City, Alverno only two left standing while top Star-News teams all season, Arcadia and Monrovia, go down in second round

yeah pick ona team ur own size

Say what you will about Arcadia Softball. Its most recent program started out as a 3 year plan. It was successful. The current coaching staff took over a 4-20 program and made it into a 60-12 program in 3 years.Added a league and co- league title. This is a success no matter how you look at it. In addition to 3 CIF appearances in each of those years. However, critics may be correct in saying the cupboard is now bare as the most important element of the game, quality pitching is now gone. Did Arcadia plan for the future at this position? Probably not. What is coming up in pitching is not close to varsity level. To aid in the predictable decline of the program, the administration insists on hiring a teacher as the new head coach. No matter their qualifications in softball. They have been made aware that current assistant coaches and lower level coaches remain in place and would love to continue and develope the program.Although the pitching will not be as strong, there are several quality players returning that can still put a quality product on the field.They need to be coached and managed by the people they know and who know them. What better way to make a smooth transistion?
These current coaches have invested 3 years in the program and no one knows the girls and their skills better. However the admin turns a deaf ear. Why? Is softball not important? If not managed and coached correctly, the program will surly decline in the next few years which I'm sure brings a big smile to the CV fans and coaches, who can now begin to order their championship banners for several years to come.

Temple City was the most overrated team in the playoffs. Give me a break!! That picture of their center fielder catching the ball is the most non-athletic catch I've seen. I saw them play three times this year. Over-achievers to say the least.

What happened to SP's bats this year?

Those games for El Segundo were mostly tournament play, I wonder if you saw their number 1 pitcher.

By the way SP played their hearts out and we are very proud of them. Some people reffered to them as under achievers this year. They clearly do not know those kids. Those who know those kids know that they are just the opposite. They had a lot of growing to do this year and they did just that. We will truly miss our one senior this year, Cassie Gogreve, but since she helped these kids grow so much this year they will be that much stronger next year. Congartulations SP Girls on a very successful year.

The Pioneer League is tough, but wait until you see Hesperia and their shortstop Ammanda Bush.

Their pitcher pitched 5 no hitters this year.

I saw them play S Pe, St P, PVP and South. I am surprised that So Pa lost. Maybe I missjudged the relative strengths of the competition. Still believe TC should - but maybe I am bias because i live in this area.

Yesterday we lost to San Dimas. From what I've seen this year probably the toughest team 1-9 that we have faced all year. I truly believe they will make a serious run at the title. Thank you Monrovia seniors for making these last four years exciting, good luck to theose of you who will continue your softball career at a another level.

Yes,You didn't see the game. Threee opposite field hits and one of the kids got thrown out at second trying to take a second base. Remember SP beat TC 2out of 3 this year. I a pulling for TC but dont underestimate ES. Trust Me.

TC is a better team than SP - if SP can play them close TC should win.

Is giving up one run jumping all over Prada?

Being humble might suit you better my Temple City friend. Remember that Los Angeles Baptist was a very good draw. They lost to Fillmore 5-0 (SP beat Fillmore 9-0) and TC had to come back from behind in the 7th, down 2-1. They finished and that is great, but El Segundo is twice the team, trust me.

If you keep talking so much smack you are going to lose some support.

Alverno will be at home on Thursday against top-ranked Paraclete

A coin-flip Wednesday morning will determine the home site for Temple City and El Segundo

Is the game this Thursday at Temple City or at El Segundo?

That a away Temple City ... the most competitive "team" in the area still standing. Coach Ellingsworth has truly worked magic this season vs. very good competition (unlike other teams who have played hand picked weak competition to bolster their win-loss record and player stats). Ellingsworth's Temple City team has maximized their strengths and effectively managed their challenges which has resulted in a truly amazing season with an extremely competitive schedule. A true team effort!!! There is no doubt now that Ellingsworth should be recognized as the area coach of the year. Can this team really go all the way? No one would have predicted it but it sure is possible!

Anon 7:41,

El Segundo is a very good team. They are a very good hitting team. They jumped on Parada early and then she and the defense tightened up and shut them down. But she is that good. Their pitching is very good and they will hit TC very well.

Did you see the game? Who told you they couldn't hit well.

I saw the game and know TC well and although TC has a good shot at beating them, I would not favor them. Remember, SP won the season series with TC 2-1 and was playing hot when they ran into El Segundo.

Whoever told you that El Segundo was a weak third place team has not experienced the Pioneer League. El Segundo was ranked 4th in CIF above Monrovia and behind the other two teams in their league and Hesperia. They are chocked full of Travel Players and are a very good team.

Some of your comments are completely innaccurate.

Guess that's why the Pioneer League had the higher rankings...they just win.

A third palce team from the Pioneer League that South Pas should have beat - not only can TC beat them - they should be favored to beat them. ES does not hit particullarly well - which is good for TC pitchers who are good but not as strong as SP - but TC's bats are much stronger than SP and the ES pitching is very good but not great. TC should win this game. Anyone see it differently?

Alverno 2, Notre Dame Academy 0.....

How about them Temple City Rams, a 6-2 winner over LA Baptist. Maybe South Pas fans can tell us if they have a shot against El Segundo...
Still trying to get Alverno result...the only other team left...Overall, what a bad day for our locals...

Westridge lost to a very strong Torrance team

this is getting depressing - did Alverno win?

CV lost 1-0

TC wins 6-2

Kaiser 5, Arcadia 2...

El Segundo 1, South Pasadena 0....RHL 0-2..

This just in, San Dimas 4, Monrovia 1.....Wildcats had lead runners on in sixth and seventh innings but couldn't get anyone home..

The worst is easy - Rio. But they sure do get the most out of it.

Chadwick has amazing facilities - but the best may be Westridge.

I actually think Chadwick has the best overall facilities of any Prep League School. Poly's baseball field leaves a lot to be desired.

Thank God he is gone

You are right that is a good choice. Good luck. Nice talking to you, adios, bye bye.

Because it is their kids, the RHL parents support their kids on this blog even thought they are in division 5 (not exactly a top division)- remember the prep schools are schools that forfeit games over studying for Physics tests.

Then why do the people on this site care so much about athletics?

If anyone goes to a Prep League school for athletics they don't belong at a prep school.

Look at the athletic facilities at Poly and tell me that they do not care about athletics, that swimming pool is state of the art. Athletics are central to that schools pride, especially when their teams are doing well. That is why they dominate their league most years.

But obviously, through their participation on this blog, the parents very much care about athletics.

No one goes to the Prep League for the athletics. Give me a break.

what is tin folio

Anon 11:22,
I am telling you yes and you can also remove the tin folio from under your baseball cap - no one is trying to read your thoughts.

Are you telling me that certain Prep League schools would not give a student with the right grades a financial break if they know that a kid is a great athlete and would help one of the teams in a big way? And are you telling me that certain Prep League parents who pay a lot of money to those schools do not watch recreation level sports, see a kid that will help the high school and make recomondations to the certain Prep League administrators? And are you telling me that the administrators who see athletic an academic prowess as a sign of prestige do not listen to those parents? It is OK, because it is allowed, but that is the equalizer.

How do they know thay are great pitchers?

Anon 10:34,
The reason they know is that the kids going to private schools had to commit in late April - not because they recruit. How you can read that into that comment is mind boggling. I bet you believe that we didn't really land on the moon and that the US perpetrated 9/11. The Prep League does not recruit - but keep believing it if it make you feel better for being in the same CIF division.

Besides Anon 10:31,

You would to have to say something "remotely insightful" before that statement makes complete sense.

Anon 10:31,

Please do not make the RHL fans out to be any worse that the Prep League fans. You are seeing your fans through rose colored glasses. You are both obnoxious but entertaining.

Anon 10:07

Go pick on teams your own size? Come on, that is silly. RHL teams have no say in where they play.

Your comments reek of some people that would say anything about RHL teams in order to make the Prep league look better or, oddly enough, worse to get their point across.

Those of you who say that the Prep League doesn't recruit should read the posting by Anon 10:07 and realize they do, otherwise how do they know what kinds of pitchers are coming down the pipe. It is OK though because that is how they stay competetive with smaller numbers.

Prep League Fan,
You can't say anything remotely critical or insightful of the RHL because the RHL posters will just use it as a chance to jump all over the Prep League and put words in your mouth to make some meaningless and unfounded/mean spirted knock against the Prep League and the superiority of the RHL - they (the RHL bloggers - not the non-RHL bloggers) have a huge chip on their shoulder even those leagues are in the same CIF division.

Anon 9:37

What are you talking about? I have never talked about Poly being as good as RHL teams or their CIF placement.

The only comment I have on this thread is a response to someone asking if players get schloarships out of the prep league. I don't see what that has to do with the relative merits of the Prep League vs the RHL.

I agree with Anon 9:49 the Prep League is just about as good as RHL - leave the RHL in D5 with the freshman pitchers the top 4 Prep league teams are getting next year they will be more than competitive with the RHL. Let the RHL have their day in the sun this year. Next year will be a different story - although South Pas should be good. Go Westridge!

As if the RHL as any say in in which division they are placed by CIF.

Anon: 9:10,

What are you talking about? Nut Job? Out of control? What did I say that was so offensive? I never said that pitching wasn't important, if you read what I said. And I never bashed you personally, unless you are an "old man." I would think people would be more upset about the guy calling out the young #2 SP pitcher rather than me.

We have experienced a good amount of people including a whole seperate blog page dedicated to what a bore softbal is. I think those people are rude and ugly. If you are not one of those, I apologize.

If you go on a chess blog and talk smack about chess, people are going to respond.

By the way, SP, even with Parada having such a great ERA, wasn't winning consistantly until they started hitting and scoring some runs and the defense stepped up.

Team Game.

Listen Prep league fan, you can't argue both ways. Most of the season you argued about how Poly was as good if not better than RHL teams and now that the season has worked out this way, you want to talk about the RHL PICKING on your teams? Please.

Thanks for the compliment, but until the RHL dominates all of D5, not just your part of it, they may not get moved up. D5 is not a weak division as a whole, just parts of it like all divisions.

OK,Ok...3 RHL teams still alive after the first round. Good job, RHL.

NOW GO PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE! Get out of D5 and go play with the big girls. It's kind of like mediocre club teams playing in a girls little league softball tournament. Cheap victories.

LSTHEBEST,
Isn't it obvious?

Anon 8:39 (aka: Nut Job),
I just reponded to a question and pointed out the obvious. I still have a daughter in the playoffs and no she is not a pitcher. I happen to love softball and coach my other daughter's youth team in the community leagues. When it comes to drafting girls in that league, coaches will give up their top 4 picks for a strong pitcher. Pitching is 75% of softball and when a team loses an ace that team loses a ton and they will have no way to go deep into the playoff unless they have another ace. Those are the facts. Please settle down and try and contol yourself in the future.

Why are softball bloggers so over the top sensitive - what are the insecurities that is being shown by such hostilities. The guy just pointed out the obvious about Gab and softball. It is what it is and rudeness will not change it. More than any team sport softball is dependent on one player. The same is sort of true in baseball - but since the number 1 pitcher can't go every game like in softball and you usually need a reliever it is not as dependent on one player. BTW, I happen to like softball a great deal - I just don't let it blind me to the obvious.

right and south pas would be in the playoffs without their number one pitcher - who has won 16 of their 17 wins and an era of less than 1 and their second pitcher can only win 25% of the games she has pitched and an era of almost 6 against lessor teams - your right it is a team game - keep believing that.

That is not accurate. Softball is a team game, just like baseball. If a baseball team loses their ace and has no one to replace them, they will fall. If a football team loses their great quaterback they will fall unless someone else steps up. Look at the Yankees this year. Pitching is killing them. The only difference is that softball tends to rely more on one pitcher and baseball relies on a few.

I am tired of haters coming on this blog trying, for some reason, to say that softball stinks. Go away please. People love it and it is the fastest growing sport in the country, deal with it.

Pitching, in softball and baseball, keeps you in games, hitting and defense wins games.

Why don't you go to some spring football blog somewhere and gets your kicks there.

Now this where some ridiculous old man comes in with some sort of "zzz" reference and tries to discount the whole passionate sport with one stupid comment. Ready GO.

softballchic90,
Thy lost their pitcher from last year, which tells you all you need to know about softball.

gabrielino softball was a joke this year! they return 7 girls from last years cif semi-final run and this year they cant get out of the first round. OVER RATED!

Burbank Sports,

I have no doubt that you and Campa will be picking El Segundo. I hope you are wrong again. Quick note: SP beat LB Poly and El Segundo lost to LB Poly. SP lost to Sunny Hills and El Segundo beat Sunny Hills. And, it should be pointed out that that those games came before SP's offense gained some momentum. It could be a pretty good match-up, but SP is definitely the underdog. What do you know about El Segundo?

If you have a student that needs to be jumped on about their academics and you as a parent don’t want a hand in their high school life that student is not going gain admission into and would never have been successful at the strong private schools in our area. A self motivated student with a parent or parents who are willing to give support will do well anywhere, but at a strong private school that student would experience much smaller classes (example: much better for developing writing skills), full funding for all academic and co curricular programs (example: art, music and drama that have lost funding in many public schools), and a lack of the administrator/teacher/parent/school board disputes that divert the focus away from students at many public school districts. As for colleges, again the self motivated student will be able to get into good colleges, but at a strong private school they will receive more individualized college counseling, usually at a ratio of one college counselor per 50 students. With this much more focused college counseling, the student/athlete is more likely to make a better decision on what college is the best fit for them.

There are drawbacks to the private school experience too. For example, some private schools are so small that students can feel they are claustrophobic. Also, since students at these small private schools are strong academically, the pressure to succeed in the classroom can be overwhelming and therefore sap a student's love of learning. Finally, it does cost over $20K to send your students to some of these private schools and while need based scholarships are available they rarely cover all the need.

As for athletics, if your student is qualified for an athletic scholarship, they will usually get the most valuable exposure to colleges through the clubs they play on rather than their high school teams (high school football would be an exception). High school athletics usually is about bonding and winning as a team, rather than showcasing individual talent for athletic scholarships. Hope that helps.

You have to love the Frontier-Rio Hondo rivalry in the making. Although the Frontier needs to star beating the RHL.
Campa and I and everyone else will be picking El Segundo though.

Hey burbank sports,

Good call on the SP/Fillmore game, you are right, the Frontier League needs some love especially from Campa who apparently hands it out arbitrarily.

Teacher
You make some excellent points however I'd disagree about your implication that private school parents may not be as involved as public school parents. Involved parents are involved no matter what school their child attends.

SM76,
In looking at the brochures for one of the private schools I remember that they boasted of having 7 students from the prior year's graduating class alone playing sports for Universities. It does not say how many are "scholarship" athletes - and many of the kids that private school end up going to schools that don't give athletic scholarships - but they do give heavy financial aid.

Big AL,
I think it is more like SM,LC, Arcadia - I don't think CV belongs on the list.

all helpful - thanks

All this talk about academics and athletics leads me to the statement that I tell many of the parents of my middle school parents. If you need to have your student jumped on about their academics and you as a parent don't want a hand in their high school life then send them to private school and pay your 10 to 15 thousand a year, they (the teachers) do a great job about taking care of your child for you, but if you have a self motivated student and a parent or parents that are willing to give support then you can go to public school , save your money, and enter classes that will get you to top universities. It doesn't matter what public school you attend if you enter into the right classes you will be able to go anywhere you want, both in academics and athletics. I have known many athletes that have gone or been able to go on both athletic and academic scholarships.

I sit here and read how little knowledge many bloggers have about CIF and how they decide about different divisions. Let me enlighten you. The first criteria is student population, then it is based on how well you do over a period three years. If you were to win your division two consecutive years they tend to move you up i.e. Oaks Christian and Pomona Catholic (and don't think that those two schools don't recruit because they do!). The problem usually is that your entire league is moved up along with the top teams and in many cases the rest of the league can't compete at the higher divisions. There has been a push for the past 3 years to seperate private and public schools and let them compete in their own divisions. This would eliminate any problems that people have about size and the smaller schools not being able to compete...which I personally believe is a misnomer since I have seen those schools play and they have programs/pitchers that can compete at many higher levels.

By the way my daughter went from private school (grades 1-8) to public school (9-12) played 4 years and started on both the soccer and softball Varsity teams. Left with a 4.2 GPA was accepted to UC Davis, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara. Was asked to play soccer at all three, but chose to concentrate on her academics. Her HS.....Monrovia. So my point to everyone just let them play and enjoy your time with your kids. Enjoy the play-offs!

Anon 10:02-

Arcadia is actually one of the top public schools academically. That is what creates such a disinterest in athletics... kids are just there to take AP courses and guarantee a place in a top university.

SM76

Poly sent a scholarship softball player to Michigan a few years ago.

Poly has also sent a football player to Northwestern and (this year) a baseball player to UCLA.

Flintridge sent a baseball player to UC Davis last year.

I am sure there are more but these are the ones I am aware of from my involvement with the prep league over the last few years.

Getting a scholarship is very difficult, but the reality is you are in southern California, so if your son/daughter puts up the numbers they will be looked at.

Generally speaking, I would say if athletics are most important, it would be better to be a four year starter at a bigger school than a prep league school. But their are many kids who would be fringe players at bigger schools who can play a lot for the smaller schools, though this of course would not make them scholarship material.

Coincidentally, the new transfer rules should help the smaller schools get players who realize early on they are buried on the rosters of bigger schools and just want the opportunity to meaningly contribute to a team.

Big A
Their are many independent schools that are secular, including all of the prep league ones. Their is more to choosing a private school than just the religious aspect, academics and athletics also play a big role.

Those schools may rank the way you say, but everyone is dying to get into the South Pasadena School disrtrict. That is one of the reasons the school has some issues athletically. They pay so much attention to only letting people in the school district who live in the school district, that they cannot partcipate in the shenanigans of addresses that other schools do for athletics. When you mention a SP athlete you can be pretty sure that the kid truly lives there. I have heard stories about other schools in the area that I cannot confirm. Although SP does not have the athletic achievement in football, for being a bedroom community it does very well in all of the catagories mentioned.

Those schools may rank the way you say, but everyone is dying to get into the South Pasadena School disrtrict. That is one of the reasons the school has some issues athletically. They pay so much attention to only letting people in the school district who live in the school district, that they cannot partcipate in the shenanigans of addresses that other schools do for athletics. When you mention a SP athlete you can be pretty sure that the kid truly lives there. I have heard stories about other schools in the area that I cannot confirm. Although SP does not have the athletic achievement in football, for being a bedroom community it does very well in all of the catagories mentioned.

Looking at the top 4 public schools in overall performance, I would have to rank it 1. Arcadia/Crescenta Valley, 3. La Canada, 4. San Marino.

Those are my opinions based on Academic achievement, athletic achievement, student/teacher ratio, API scores, general feeling towards school (my opinion)

I don't believe in sending my kids to private schools so I never did. Religiously, I believe you can teach it through your family, and through your church/temple/mosque... on your selective days. I see some parents send their kids to public schools all the way up untill high school, and then change. I wonder why that is.

Any parents want to give me some of their feelings on the subject?

But Arcadia seems to be competitive in everything - I guess it is the overpopulation that makes up for it. Good for for sports not so much for academics - although I think Arcadia is in good shape there too - No?

Just to follow on - since this seems like a knowledgeable - if not bias board - what is the history of how the Prep League became so realtively competitive atheletically. In my day they had 8 man football and no RHL, Pacific League or other public school leagues would even consider playing them in any sport. My daughter is 7th grader at a good public school and is above good but not great athlete, who plays three sports volleyball (club - starter), basketball (community league all star - no travel) and softball (community league all star - no travel). She loves sports so I never considered the Prep League schools (because of my old bias) - but given how competitive they seem to have gotten maybe I am missing an opportunity - do kids ever get athletic scholarships out of the Prep League (she is a A-/B+ student).

SM76, the same can be said for Arcadia (to a degree).

Thanks largely to demographics, I would say 75% of the student body has absolutely no interest in athletics.

Fortunately for Arcadia, however, the school is ridiculously overpopulated. So the 25% that DO have a vague interest in sports adds up to about 1000 kids.

Haha, sorry, I just contradicted myself.

The problem is the changed forever demographics in these areas while Glendale and Hoover may be the same size student wise as CV and Arcadia the culture of most of the kids that go there is no longer to play the traditional American sports - these are 2 schools that have won the CIF in football, basketball and baseball and typically used to finished at or near the top in the Pacific and now can't win a game except when they play each other. That is why those schools are the doormat of the Pacific in traditional sports and would be in the RHL and the Prep League for that matter. To a lessor degree the same is true of many RHL schools - San Marino and South Pasadena used to be very strong in the traditional sports but with the changing demographic of those communities they are now middle of the road RHL teams in most traditional sports. That is why it is a little misleading to say that it is a school with 1800 students when you look to them for athletic placement because many of the kids that go there did not grow up in the culture of traditional American sports. I went to SM the year SP won the CIF in football and we were 2nd to them in League - we did not have one player shorter than 6 feet. This year I think SM only had 2 or so players over 6 feet. I would make an arguement that the RHL should be one CIF division higher but no more -competing against the smaller Prep League schools seems silly and would have been completely impossible in my day (those schools have come a long way athletically - still sort of hard to believe for me) - but moving up 2 levels for the RHL is too much because the 1800 students is very misleading when it comes to athletics.

I am not sure what games you have been watching, but all of the RHL games have been really well played offensive and defensive struggles with very few errors, not just pitching. Good ball. I am not sure why this is all of a sudden become about comparing the RHL to the Prep league. There is really no comparison this year in softball. In recent years it was different, but anyone who has watched both leagues this year knows that I am right.

Just pull for all the local teams still in CIF, it is OK.

Then why is Arcadia in D3 and why are glendale ,muir and pasadena in D3 the last 3 did NOT WIN 1 game all year and I think the last 2 did the same. last year. that is who the so called big arcadia pacfic league D3 are playing and the scores are 22-0 or 17-0 I guess they think it helped their stats .
at least CV played in the high desert tourney to have other tougher schools to help better themselves. CV just might pull it off in CIF..

The Prep League does not recruit and will never recruit - but if schools with 1800 students competing with schools of 200 students feel better so be it. I wonder if they still believe in St. Nick, the Easter Bunny and so forth.

Anonymous 4:19 is right the RHL is in the right division. The top RHL teams are one pitcher, except Monrovia (who has two), away from a mid level prep league team. They are in the right division - division 5 out of 7 is appropriate.

Without the intent to bash any school/league or division ...Wouldn't it be more prestigious or meaningful to play in a tougher division and do well versus beating up on less powerful/populated schools in a lower division or worse underperform at a lower division?

Also can any RHL blogger defend how they play in D5 (out of a possible 7) when a lot of smaller schools play at the same division or above?

Lastly where is all this private school "recruiting" taking place? If anyone is aware of any local recruiting please state so... The only school that has the appearance of doing any recruiting in local softball is San Marino??? A public RHL school? I'm not saying they are but for the past 3 or 4 years have fielded girls that should have gone to PHS?

After El Segundo beats the tigers what division should SP be in?

Go RHL, with three teams still in CIF!

Don't let these people try and bring you down. You are the best league in the area right now, keep it up!

We have been through this before and you are still wrong. Arcadia has 3700 kids in the school and RHL schools have between 1600-1800.The same as all public institutions in D5. Private schools are judged on a different criteria because they can recruit. You can say that RHL teams underachieve and are in an easier league than they should be. Let your teams play Torrance, Hesperia and some other D5 teams and tell me that they are lower level teams.

Prep teams need to utilize their recruiting better if they are not happy with their performance. As badly as Mayfield represented the Prep league in the playoffs after beating Poly, CIF may want to invent an even lower level division to accomodate them if they don't get their act together. They seem to be doing great in baseball.

Plus TC and SP spent their whole offseason in Orange County playing higher division teams with good results. About.500. This is the first time either of those teams have challenged themselves that way, and they will only get better at it as they get used to it. These are programs on the rise, I hope you can say that for your program.

By the way, why are Prep League bloggers still on this thread, shouldn't they have already moved on to another sport? Except for Westridge who did a nice job against a team on their level. They may be on the rise as a program. Why not, the league seems open for the taking.

RHL attendance-wise belongs 2 division up - but as they constantly underperform every year they have been held down. School size-wise they are much closer to CV and Arcadia than the Prep League schools but they haven't be able to handle the competition at that level. As such they have ben held down with the Prep League. The CIF will see how the RHL teams do this year in the playoffs before pushing them up. Aside from Monrovia the two other teams in the playoffs did relatively poorly outside of the RHL league. All the huffing and puffing that goes on in this blog means nothing if those teams don't do something in this lower division playoffs and in games outside their league in higher divisions. That is what the CIF looks at in evaluating what leagues go to which CIF. The CIF does not think much of the competition in the RHL as evidence by the division they have been put in and the RHL has proved them right. The Prep attendance makes them belong at one division lower - but they have over performed so they are playing at a higher level - so they are sort of a tweener at the moment - they may be moved down in the future.

to anon 4:39

Why do you feel compelled to defend the RHL playing DOWN in D5? There are only 6 Divisions?

Anon 1:53 is right... They are bigger fish in a small pond. Their wins are over much smaller programs. Do the math it is as simple as that. The Prep teams are approprietly placed in D5.

Lee Vining is a D6 school. If you feel better for playing down and perhaps winning at that level the more power to you. I would prefer to see like programs play like programs. A cheap win is just that a cheap win. Enjoy it while it lasts.

to anon 4:39

Why do you feel compelled to defend the RHL playing DOWN in D5? There are only 6 Divisions?

Anon 1:53 is right... They are bigger fish in a small pond. Their wins are over much smaller programs. Do the math it is as simple as that. The Prep teams are approprietly placed in D5.

Lee Vining is a D6 school. If you feel better for playing down and perhaps winning at that level the more power to you. I would prefer to see like programs play like programs. A cheap win is just that a cheap win. Enjoy it while it lasts.

I am just waiting for Campa to eat crow about his prediction of South Pas losing to Fillmore.

If you like watching great softball the college playoffs are on. I'm one Happy DAD.....
To Anon 6:24
You are right on the money..My hats off to you...Rodriguez is a great pitcher but so are 10 others in the area...

I know LaSalle moved up 2 divisions but not sure about the rest

did not the prep league move up this year?

to anon 6:24
Thank you for being so honest. What you said was so true.

sometimes I don't think people look pass the stats or who these teams played..when arcadia played CV it was a 2-1 gameand it was tough. when they played Monrovia it went 17 inings and it was just the luck of who got the luckly hit.Arcadia played in weak tourneys and all those stats came from the weaker teams that have no pitching.I think arcadia is a good team with a ok pitcher. If you put Arcadia at the high desert tourny they would have been the weaker team.
Their first CIF win was againest a third place team that just went up a divison, and are still adjusting. Since Arcadia has put all their eggs in one basket they have no one coming up in the ranks. Arcadia has ruined their own softball program. My daughter plays on the varsity team and is a starter and she sees what is happening on this team and so does the other girls.I hope they win and keep going but lets be honest. it would be a shocker.

Players should be taught not to dive in headfirst to home because it is a good way of breaking your neck if the catcher blocks the plate.

Anon 1:53,

You are right, D5 is too good for Prep league, but it is where RHL belongs. CIF did a wierd thing when it moved La Salle up two divisions, thats what they got for being too good in D6. If RHL teams dominated D5 they would move up too. They haven't done that yet.

Numbers matter when it is a public school, because no one can recruit and they have the same percentage chances of getting quality players with similar amounts of students. With private schools, numbers matter less, they are judged by how they have done in the past because they can recruit. My guess is that the Prep league moves down next year.

We were doing so good, Star News... Two steps forward 3 steps back...

TWO Arcadia photos and NO ONE ELSE? Same 'ol same 'ol. Looks like a pattern AGAIN.

Thanks, Grandpa!

If numbers aren't the main factor then why are Muir and PHS in D3 softball? Could they beat Monrovia?

Same 'ol question : WHY are Monrovia/SP/TC in D5 along with the Poly's, Mayfields, FPrep, Maranantha's and RHP? (Doesn't RHP have like 90 kids in the whole school?)

Bigger fish in small ponds and all that ? Seems to lessen their "victories" over smaller programs?

They should at least be in D4 with La Salle and FSH? They may not be as big as Arcadia/CV but A LOT bigger than most D5 schools? What gives? Why won't the CIF address this? Who does one ask for an explanation?

Because they are twice the size and are both public institutions like the RHL teams.

Why is the Pacific League two CIF divisions higher than the RHL?

That is a joke about Pacific League teams mercying RHL teams. All three of the top RHL teams can beat the Pacific League teams on any given day, even though they are twice the size.

The question isn't "how much better are they?" The question is "how do they avoid playing them?'

Didn't Monrovia and Arcadia battle for 17 innings? Who else did that in the Pacific League? Didn't CV just catch Arcadia sleepwalking late in the game?

If you are going to mention the top teams in the RHL you need to mention SP, they beat TC 2 out of 3 in league and have beaten two good teams in CIF by a lot.

the pacific teams would beat monrovia 7 out of 10 times.

to your post no neither team would mercy monrovia.

How much better are the top teams in the Pacific League (Arcadia and CV) than the top teams in the RHL (Monrovia and Temple City)? Would the Pacific League team mercy the the top team in the RHL?

Anonymous 9:59 - Thanks!

OK late nighters...Anyone hear the St Lucy's score?

DIVISION I

First Round

El Toro 12, Orange Lutheran 2
Nikki Williams went three for three with a double and two home runs -- a three-run homer and two-run blast -- and Kendal Hennings went three for four with three runs scored for host El Toro (21-8). Megan Boardman went two for three with a solo home run and teammate Carly Land (13-6) pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out five in the win. Orange Lutheran finished at 17-10.

Los Alamitos 3, San Juan Capistrano Serra 1
Nikki Coppinger hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal Las Alamitos' (21-7) win over visiting San Juan Capistrano Serra (13-8).

Esperanza 8, Trabuco Hills 0
Hart 2, Moorpark 1
Marina 1, Rio Mesa 0
Riverside Poly 5, Corona 2
Royal 10, Oxnard Pacifica 0
Santa Margarita 4, King 0
Saugus 5, Thousand Oaks 4 (9 innings)
Simi Valley 10, Oxnard 0

DIVISION II

First Round

La Mirada 6, Long Beach Wilson 3
Christina Pedroza, Dana Garcia and Danielle Klewein each homered for host La Mirada (26-2-1). Wilson ended the season 14-8.

La Palma Kennedy 3, Dana Hills 1
Pitcher Brooke Turner (24-1) struck out 14 for top-seeded La Palma Kennedy (26-1). Jamia Reid was two for three with a double and two runs scored. Dana Hills ends the season at 12-16.

Anaheim Canyon 1, Mission Viejo 0
Canyon Springs 9, Redlands 3
Colony 10, Vista Murrieta 6
Cypress 3, El Modena 1
Don Lugo 1, Murrieta Valley 0
El Dorado 2, St. Lucy's 1
Fontana 5, Valley View 0
Garden Grove Pacifica 6, Capistrano Valley 2
Lakewood 5, San Luis Obispo 1
Millikan 4, Redondo 1
Norwalk 3, Atascadero 0
Peninsula 5, Mayfair 0
Temescal Canyon 2, Chino Hills 0
Upland 6, Miller 3

DIVISION III

First Round

Beckman 2, Hemet 1
Jasmine Harrell (8-6) pitched a six-hitter with eight strikeouts and Angelo Delgado hit a game-winning two-run single with two outs in the fourth inning for Beckman (12-15). Hemet (17-10) scored its run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Megan Denio had two hits and two stolen bases for Beckman.

Charter Oak 2, Sunny Hills 0
Crystal Venegas had an RBI double in the first and Katie Kayot doubled and later scored on a fielding error in the second inning for host Charter Oak (22-7) against Sunny Hills (14-11). Venegas also had a triple and McKenna Gooden went two for three with a double and a run scored for Charter Oak. Delaney Baylor (20-7) gave up three hits and struck out six for the victory.

Crescenta Valley 12, Knight 2
Ashleigh Viers drove in two runs on a pair of doubles and scored twice and Kali Cancelosi (15-4) pitched a one-hitter with nine strikeouts over five innings for host Crescenta Valley (22-5). Baillie Kirker hit a three-run home run in the second inning for the Falcons as Knight ended the season at 23-9.

Laguna Hills 2, Troy 0
Christine Gomez (21-3) allowed one hit and struck out five over a minimum 21 batters and Lauren Lastrapes scored both runs and hit a single for fourth-seeded host Laguna Hills (24-5). Troy ended the season at 16-11.

Quartz Hill 2, Santa Clara 1
Candice Mille and Jordan Hood each drove in a run and Kristin Ware struck out 12 and walked none for Quartz Hill (22-5). Santa Clara finished the year at 15-8.

Arcadia 7, La Reina 2
Cajon 22, Bloomington 5
California 5, Culver City 2
Colton 2, Paloma Valley 1
Fullerton 3, Elsinore 2
Kaiser 1, Garden Grove 0
La Serna 4, Corona del Mar 0
Los Altos 8, Norte Vista 0
Oak Park 1, Rancho Alamitos 0
Oaks Christian 9, Lancaster 5
Santa Monica 1, Burbank 0 (9 innings)

DIVISION IV

First Round

Alemany 3, Bishop Amat 1
Nicolette Nassif started things off by scoring on a throwing error on her own triple and Sara Jean Webster hit a two-run homer in the third inning to put third-seeded host Alemany (22-6) up for good. Bishop Amat ended the season at 14-14.

Chaminade 16, Magnolia 0
Brittany Cervantes went four for four, hit two home runs and had six RBIs, Brianna Bartch pitched a two-hitter, shortstop Emily Bliss went four for five with two doubles and four RBIs and Megan Tupper was three for three with two RBIs for fourth-seeded host Chaminade (20-8). Magnolia ended its season 13-8.

Downey 4, South Hills 1
Jackie Serrano allowed three hits and struck out four to earn the win and Renae Garcia hit a double and drove in three runs for second-seeded host Downey (22-6-1). Serrano earned the win despite entering the week as questionable for the game after she was hit in the face with a comebacker in the Vikings' regular-season finale May 10.

Pomona Catholic 9, Harvard-Westlake 8
Marysa Lavendera had a single with two outs in the fifth inning to drive in the eventual game-winning run for host Pomona Catholic (14-8). Zara Louy drove in a pair of runs in the seventh to bring Harvard-Westlake (17-12) to within a run, but the Wolverines (17-12) stranded the potential tying run at second to end the game. Louy finished two for three with three RBIs and one run scored, Julie Fernandez was three for three with a double, two runs scored and a walk amd Emma Katz was two for four with two RBIs and one run scored for Harvard-Westlake.

St. Paul 8, Saddleback 0
Kaelynn Armenta struck out 16 and Ashley Castillo and Jessica Sanchez each notched a triple for host St. Paul (18-11-1) against Saddleback (15-7).

Warren 3, Savanna 1
Emily Gregriro went two for three with a double and a run scored and Yvette Bravo hit a run-scoring single in the first for visiting Warren (18-8). Kaci Keltner (13-7) gave up six hits and struck out four in a complete-game effort. Savanna finished at 14-10.

Bishop Montgomery 10, Lompoc 4
Buena 3, Santa Maria St. Joseph 2
Dos Pueblos 10, Morro Bay 1
Gahr 4, Western 0
La Quinta 4, Arrowhead Christian 3 (8 innings)
Ocean View 6, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 0
Ontario Christian 8, Indio 4
Orange 3, Estancia 1
Rowland 5, Palm Desert 0
Templeton 13, San Marcos 4

DIVISION V

First Round

L.A. Baptist 7, Sierra Vista 0
Allyson Salas struck out 15 and walked none to improve to 14-5 on the season for host L.A. Baptist (15-8), while Hailee Purefoy was three for four with four RBIS and Annie Miller and Katherine Kress also getting three hits apiece. Sierra Vista finishes at 10-12.

Montebello 5, Big Bear 1
Katrina Murphy went three for three with a triple, two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored and Samantha Montiel went two for three with a double and one run scored, in addition to throwing eight strikeouts for Montebello (20-6) against visiting Big Bear (11-15).

Rim of the World 6, Silverado 5
Jennifer White was three for three with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Kat Kolde and Erica Prentice were two for four for visiting Rim of the World (16-9), which scored twice in the top of the seventh inning to erase a 5-4 Silverado (16-8) lead. Despite giving up nine hits and five runs (one earned), Prentice did manage to strike out 16 and walk none.

Serrano 4, Ridgecrest Burroughs 0
Shey Kawal got things rolling with a two-run homer in the first inning and pitcher Alexa Rodriguez (14-4) maintained Serrano's (14-8) shutout against visiting Ridgecrest Burroughs (15-10) by throwing six strikeouts and only allowing three hits.

Temple City 1, Northview 0
Annelyse Dok drove in Jessica Kosharek in the bottom of the sixth inning for Temple City (16-11), with Kaitlyn Ellingsworth striking out eight in a complete-game seven-hitter. Northview wrapped up its season with a mark of 17-9.

Beaumont 4, La Puente 0
El Segundo 18, Mayfield 0
Hesperia 7, Victor Valley 1
Monrovia 6, Schurr 1
San Dimas 4, Rio Hondo Prep 0
San Jacinto 19, Twentynine Palms 0
South Pasadena 9, Fillmore 0
Torrance 5, Cerritos Valley Christian 0
Westridge 3, Malibu 0

DIVISION VI

First Round

Alverno 13, Windward 0
Michelle Escamilla (19-1) threw her fourth no-hitter of the season and struck out 19 for visiting Alverno (21-3). Windward finished at 12-3.

Campbell Hall 6, Kern Valley 5 (8 innings)
Caitlin Bloom reached on a fielder's choice then scored on a throwing error with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift host Campbell Hall (17-5) against Kern Valley (14-11). Bloom also had an RBI double and Jessi Harrison drove in a run, both in the sixth inning, to give Campbell Hall a 5-4 lead. Kelsie Robinson of Kern Valley scored the tying run on a fielder's choice in the top of the seventh.

Maddy Long (16-4) was three for four with two RBIs and was also the winning pitcher, with eight strikeouts. Lia Robson (12-7) was the losing pitcher.

Marymount 7, Archer 2
Andrea Lyons posted 13 strikeouts and Monica Pires hit a home run for Marymount (18-6), as Gabie Levesque's fourth-inning, two-run single broke the game open and Claire Bastis and Gizelle Pera each collected two hits. Archer ended its year at 8-6.

Murrieta Calvary Chapel 16, Upland Christian 1
Tory Ferreira was three for three with five RBIs and Shelbi Whitson three for four with two doubles and four RBIs for third-seeded Calvary Chapel (23-4-1). Ferreira also struck out 10 in five innings and combined with Janelle Medor (five strikeouts) on a no-hitter. Upland Christian ended its season at 15-6.

Boron 14, Sherman Indian 0
Saddleback Valley Christian 6, Sage Hill 1

DIVISION VII

First Round

Bell-Jeff 13, North County Christian 11
Sarah Wells hit a two-run home run in the second and added a solo homer in the fourth for host North County Christian (14-5). Bell-Jeff (9-5) scored seven runs in the seventh to get the win.

Providence 11, Shandon 2
Natalie Kasdarian got two hits and the victory on the mound for Providence (11-11), which faces top seed Camarillo Cornerstrone Christian in the second round. Shannon McShane was three for four with an RBI, Cassandra Lohman two for four with two runs and two stolen bases, and Sara Lohman tripled and drove in two runs for Providence. Host Shandon ended the season 15-5.

St. Matthias 30, Wildomar Cornerstone Christian 0 (5 innings)
Pam Ramirez (9-4) and Rene Caballero combined on a no-hitter and struck out nine and Nicole Porras went five for five with six RBIs and five runs scored for host St. Matthias (16-7). Cornerstone Christian dropped to 7-10.

Rolling Hills Prep 7, Viewpoint 5

Thursday, May 17, 2007

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

DIVISION V

First Round

North Torrance 4, Village Christian 0

DIVISION VI

First Round

Notre Dame Academy 12, La Verne Lutheran 1
Theresa Conrad (12-3) pitched a five-hitter with 13 strikeouts and had a home run, a triple and a double for host Notre Dame Academy (20-6), which scored nine runs in the sixth inning. Jade Hett scored on a single by Felicia Calles in the seventh inning for La Verne Lutheran (14-4).

Lancaster Desert Christian 17, San Gabriel Mission 10
Paraclete 8, Frazier Mountain 6
Woodcrest Christian 2, Gabrielino 0

Anyone know what happened at the CV game? and Westridge at Malibu?

Santa Monica 1
Burbank 0

in 9 innings

Arcadia 7, La Reina 2

Alverno domininated windward in a easy win.

score 13-0

Campa,
Good Call on SP vs Fillmore, you really know your softball.

9-0 tigers win. oh yeah baby

Anonymous/Camps-

CSUN has baseball camps in June, July and a couple in August.

Go Tigers! We Believe!!

a little hard Mike if you don't give an email address.

I teach hitting instruction. e-mail me if you are interested!

No More of That! Go SP!

Way to go Campa! Showing the Frontier League love!

slight aside - I have 2 boys ages 11 and 13 - do any of the local SGV coaches put on baseball clinics in August? or are there any good baseball summer camps that bloggers would recommend - would travel to LA or SFV?