1. Chino Hills (23-3) — Have done everything to warrant being the area’s top team and are a perfect 6-0 in the Sierra. But they haven’t won the league title outright. Since Chino Hills dropped St. Lucy’s the Regents have won every game since. If St. Lucy’s gets by South Hills on Wednesday, then Friday’s game at Chino Hills is that much bigger.
2. Bishop Amat (16-4) — The Lancers are going to win the Del Rey League and just like their soccer sisters, may have to go through some tough Sierra League teams in the divisional playoffs. After watching both Chino Hills and Amat, I’d take Chino Hills in a three-game series. But it’s close and would love for Amat to meet up with St. Lucy’s or Chino Hills in the postseason.
3. St. Lucy’s (18-4) — Extremely impressed how the Regents bounced back after a tough loss at home to Chino Hills a couple weeks back, especially pitcher Danielle O’Toole. She shutout a hard-hitting Charter Oak team 12-0 and most recently struck out 15 in a 7-0 win over Claremont. But as is always the case with St. Lucy’s, can they win the big ones? You’ll have your answer by the end of the week.
4. Duarte (16-3) — I agree with everyone else, it’s hard to tell exactly how good the Falcons are. They’re waiting for the playoffs to start while rolling through everyone in the Montview with ease.
5. Bonita (14-6) — Finally finding their groove, the Bearcats are tied with Los Altos for the Hacienda League lead with its big game at Los Altos today. Bonita’s always a hard out because of soph pitcher Anissa Sanchez and they have dangerous bats and players with plenty of club experience.
6. Charter Oak (12-7) — In the all important race for playoff spots in the Sierra, the Chargers did themselves a huge favor with a win over South Hills last week. The Chargers swept South Hills this year, so they own the tiebreaker should the teams finish in a tie for third.
7. South Hills (15-8) — South Hills coach Scott Fisch said it best at the beginning of the season when we pegged them the No. 1 team. “We can either win every game and go to the final or not make the playoffs.” Right now it’s looking like they won’t make the playoffs. Who knows what role Sydney La Follette would have played in this, but it’s obvious the Huskies miss their senior pitcher.
8. San Dimas (17-7) — It all goes down this week. The Saints (8-1) and Northview (8-1) are tied for the VVL league with the decider at Northview on Wednesday. These aren’t the great Saints teams of the past, but they’re still solid and so are the Vikings. Should be a good game.
9. Los Altos (15-6) — The Conqs haven’t posted their stats until this week and what stands out immediately is catcher Alyssa Villalpando, batting .545 with 10 home runs. The Conqs are on a roll with six straight wins heading into today’s game with Bonita. I also love what I saw last week. With Bonita at West Covina last Friday, Los Altos players made the trip to watch the game, showing just how much they’re dialed in on winning a league title.
10. West Covina (12-8) — I thought there would be some slippage for the Bulldogs softball team, but I found out why they’re still a top ten team. Senior pitcher Arianna Sanchez has been solid. She’s a transfer from an arts school where they tell me she was in dance. She started at West Covina as a freshman, left for two years and came back.