Orange Lutheran holds off Mater Dei 5-3 in the biggest game of the week among the state’s top-ranked teams. The Lancers also remained No. 4 in this week’s rankings, which in addition to them didn’t change for any others who were in the Super 8 last week.
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(Through games of Saturday, May 13; Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Norco 30-0
After two more wins to close the regular season, the Cougars have the best regular season record in CIF Southern Section history. If all goes well over the next three weeks, more historical feats may be achieved by this team.
Entering the CIF Southern Section playoffs, Taylor Dockins of No. 1 Norco has 105 career pitching wins. Photo: Patrick Takkinen/SoCalSidelines.com.
2. (2) Los Alamitos 24-3
The Griffins pounded Fountain Valley 11-2 in their regular season finale and now start the CIFSS Division I playoffs as the No. 2 seed behind Norco. They received a first-round bye just like Norco as well.
3. (3) Gahr (Cerritos) 25-0
Could the CIFSS really have unbeaten champions in both Division I and Division II? The Gladiators are hoping they’re the ones in D2. They are the top seed and start the playoffs Thursday vs. Rosary of Fullerton.
4. (4) Lutheran (Orange) 25-4
The Lancers ended the regular season with a 5-3 win over Mater Dei of Santa Ana to finish in first place in the Trinity League. Maddy Dwyer had three hits, including a triple while driving in a run and earned the win in the circle.
5. (5) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 21-3
Danielle Williams dominated with 13 strikeouts and retired the final 19 batters in a row as the Dons dispatched their previous state No. 15 rivals from Foothill of Pleasanton 2-0. They will be in league playoffs this week.
6. (6) Buena (Ventura) 22-0-1
The Bulldogs are the top seed in the CIFSS D4 playoffs but have a head-to-head win over Rio Mesa of Oxnard, which is one of the top seeds in Division II. Jenessa Ullegue pitched a four-hitter with 10 strikeouts and went 3-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored in 4-0 win last week against Dos Pueblos of Goleta.
7. (7) San Marcos 25-4
This team is unbeaten against CIF San Diego Section opponents so it doesn’t matter to us if the section Open Division pairings don’t list the Knights as the No. 1 seed. The defending champs without much doubt should be the No. 1 seed.
8. (8) Mission Viejo 20-5
The Diablos, who did not play last week, meet M.L. King of Riverside in the first-round of the CIFSS Division I playoffs.
