Softball: La Habra leads area fantastic five into CIF-SS second round
CIF-SS SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS
SECOND ROUND
Division 1
La Habra (20-7) at Corona Santiago (23-6) >> The Highlanders, who were ranked in the state Top 10 by CalHiSports earlier in the season, have recaptured their old swagger recently, routing Sunny Hills to end the regular season and scoring an easy 9-3 win over Yorba Linda in the first round.
They are led first baseman/pitcher Janelle Rodriguez, outfielder Kira Cauley and pitcher Hannah Johnson.
The Sharks won at Yucaipa in the first round.
Division 3
La Mirada (22-8-1) at Patriot (24-4) >> The Matadores are coming off a 14-1 win over Irvine in the first round.
They feature one of the division’s better hitting teams, led by junior third baseman Madison Bogdanovich, who had a three-run home run in the first round and Djhane Valido, who had three hits against Irvine.
Patriot defeated Summit 4-3 in the first round.
Division 4
Whittier (16-8-1) at Beaumont (19-8) >> The Cardinals are in the playoffs for just the second time since 2009 when they also advanced to the second round.
Whittier, which won at Mira Costa (10-6) in the first round, is led by junior Amy Bretado (.351, 13 RBIs).
Beaumont advanced with a wild-card win over Palm Springs (10-2) and at No. 3 Aquinas (12-4).
Division 6
St. Anthony (20-7) at Whittier Christian (13-14) >> The Heralds, who won at Nuview Bridge (12-3) in the first round, are led by sophomore Hailey Gallegos (.562, 22 RBIs) and freshman Jaden Hernandez (.294, 23 RBIs).
St. Anthony is the No. 3 seed.
Garden Grove Santiago (23-2) at Schurr (20-3-1) >> The host Spartans have won six consecutive games, including playoff wins over Crean Lutheran (9-1) and Chadwick (11-0).