Softball: San Marino ready for showdown at LC. Your last chance to catch two of the state’s top strikeout leaders face each other.

La Canada coach KC Mathews on the Lauren Cox-Michelle Floyd matchup:

“You’re not going to see this ever year. I think it goes to speak of the depth the San Gabriel Valley has in softball with both of these girls competing at such a high level. It is special to be around this level of talent in the circle, and it makes us better, makes the league better. It makes the whole valley softball better when you see this type of talent around you all the time. I’m just lucky to be a par tof it and enjoy it from the seat that I got. I think both programs have to feel lucky.”


Above: San Marino’s Michelle Floyd.

MICHELLE FLOYD AT A GLANCE
Batting Average: .429
On-Base %: .493
Slugging %: .683
Pitching: 27 hits, 18 RBIs, seven doubles, three home runs
14-5 record, 21 appearances, 14 complete games
239 strikeouts (6th in the state), 0.85 ERA
Opponent batting average: .143

LAUREN COX AT A GLANCE
Pitching: 15-3 record, 20 appearances, 17 complete games, 12 shutouts
219 strikeouts (11th in the state), 0.69 ERA, opp. BA: .101

STATE LEADER IN STRIKEOUTS:
Cheridan Hawkins of Anderson with 343 strikeouts in 154 innings and 27 games.

GAME PREVIEW

San Marino needs a victory today and then hope for a lot of help.

The Titans will face La Canada for likely the final time this season. San Marino will need to beat the Spartans on the road for the second consecutive time to have a shot at the knocking La Canada off the top of the league.

San Marino is 7-3 with two games remaining, also playing Temple City on May 10. La Canada is 6-1-1 with four games remaining after Wednesday’s home game against Temple City was postponed because of a wet field.

La Canada must lose all four games and San Marino must win its final two for the Titans to take the title.

“It’s a big game because it’s for the league title,” San Marino coach Nick Shepperele said. “It’s a big game because it’s San Marino-La Canada. It’s a big game for the girls. We look forward to it.”

La Canada must play Temple City on Monday, at Monrovia on Tuesday and against South Pasadena on May 10.

“There is no pressure on us and I believe that,” Shepperele said. “We’re going to make the playoffs. We want to prepare ourself for the playoffs. But first we’re going to look at each game at hand.”

One thing the Titans need to do better, the first-year coach said, is get hits.

“We’ve been hitting right a people,” he said.

“From an X’s and O’s point of view, there is not much more we can do. If the girls do not know where to throw the ball or how to bunt, they’ll never learn it now. We just have to let the kids play and keep them sharp.”

Senior Alexis Watanabe finally is overcoming shoulder problems and is beginning to respond, Shepperele said. Center fielder Courtney Johnson also has played well.

Today’s game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Below: La Canada’s Lauren Cox

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