Softball: Is it possible for Prep League to get hotter? Yes!

Taking a closer look at the Prep League this week….

It has been an interesting week for the Prep League where things have tightened up significantly and it is still up in the air as to who will take the crown. Currently there are three teams in a virtual tie for first place – all with two losses. Rio Hondo Prep (6-2), Mayfield (6-2) and Flintridge Prep (5-2). Don’t count out Pasadena Poly with three losses either – there is definitely a scenario where the Prep League ends up with a four-way tie for first place. But first….

RIO HONDO PREP – Rio Hondo made the biggest move last week beating both Mayfield (4-1) and Flintridge Prep (3-2) behind the outstanding pitching of sophomore Charley Parker and a solid defense. Rio Hondo was able to take advantage of mistakes by their opponents without making any errors on their part. Rio Hondo should be able to take care of business in their next three league games and will finish league play vs. Pasadena Poly on May 15th. Next up is Westridge on Tuesday.

FLINTRIDGE PREP – After a disappointing 3-2 loss to Rio Hondo Prep, Flintridge Prep will be hungry for a win against Mayfield on Tuesday. Lydia Kay was excellent on the mound and hit a two run homer in the bottom of the first against Rio Hondo to tie the game at 2-2. She held the Kares until the top of the 7th when mistakes allowed a runner to score and put the Kares up for good. Of the top three teams, Flintridge Prep has the toughest remaining league schedule with games against Mayfield and Pasadena Poly. Flintridge beat Mayfield in their first meeting, 4-1, but lost to Pasadena Poly, 7-3, in their first meeting.

MAYFIELD – Mayfield started the week slowly coming off spring break with a 4-1 loss to Rio Hondo Prep, but picked things up significantly with a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Pasadena Poly on Friday. In the Poly game, Katie Clancy struck out 14 and now has a league-leading 90 strikeouts and an 0.65 ERA in league play. This is the first year that Mayfield has swept Pasadena Poly in league play in at least 25 years, possibly ever. Mayfield has a big challenge against Flintridge Prep on Tuesday at Brookside Field No. 3, hoping to avenge the earlier loss to Flintridge.

PASADENA POLY – Pasadena Poly has had a tough season but can rebound if they can mount a late season surge. Last week they started the week with a convincing 10-0 win over Chadwick, but then suffered a disappointing loss to Mayfield. This week they face Webb and Chadwick and should win both games. Their biggest challenge will come against Flintridge Prep the following week and then against Rio Hondo Prep to close out their league season on May 15th. If they can overcome these challenges they will at worst be tied for second in the Prep League or possibly in a 4-way tie for first.

So, here is the four-way tie scenario: I am assuming the four league leaders all beat Chadwick, Westridge and Webb in their remaining games. If Flintridge Prep beats Mayfield then Pasadena Poly beats Flintridge Prep and Rio Hondo Prep all four teams would have three losses in league play and there would be a four-way tie. Somebody check the rulebook, because I am not sure how you would settle that one….

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