HS BASE: Thursday is a big day in City Section

The City Section quarterfinals are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, and seven of the eight participants are from the San Fernando Valley, including top-seeded Chatsworth, No. 2 El Camino Real and No. 3 Kennedy.

No big surprise considering a Valley team has won the City title 37 times over the past 38 years.

Chatsworth plays visiting Taft, an opponent the host Chancellors defeated 27-0 on April 29 after losing to the Toreadors 8-7 two days earlier.

"We need to come out strong regardless of what's happened in the past against those guys," Chatsworth shortstop Brady Conlan said.

Kennedy plays host to San Fernando after the teams split a two-game series in the final week of the regular season to share first in the Valley Mission League. This is the rubber game, and of course it's infinitely more important.

"We're looking forward to playing them again," Kennedy pitcher Ryan Cruz said. "It's going to be intense, and we love big games."

Birmingham advanced with an upset win over San Pedro, and the Patriots look to parlay the momentum against visiting Granada Hills.

"I'm excited. I feel like we have a very good chance to go very far in the playoffs," Birmingham pitcher/outfielder Kevin Torres said.

Defending champion El Camino Real, readying for visiting Narbonne, proved inconsistent during the regular season, but the second-seeded Conquistadores have been known to turn it on in the playoffs.

"We came out swinging and got past the first round, so hopefully that will carry over against Narbonne," pitcher/outfielder Jose Cardona said. "Narbonne is going to be hungry, but if we play our game, we can come out on top and keep going."