Sea View League Baseball Race Narrows

The Sea View League race to determine the league’s Nos. 2 and 3 representatives for the Southern Section Division III baseball playoffs became a little less crowded Friday afternoon.

Tustin won the league title, but five teams finished tied for second. Athletic directors from those schools held a lottery Friday morning, drawing four numbers out of a hat. As a result, four teams played Friday afternoon and Irvine received a bye.

Corona del Mar defeated Woodbridge, 2-1, and Saddleback beat Santa Margarita, 7-4. Saddleback then won a coin toss with Corona del Mar to gain a playoff berth. Corona del Mar will play Irvine today at Tustin High School at 2 p.m., with the winner also qualifying for the playoffs.

The Nos. 2 and 3 spots will be determined by regular-season head-to-head competition, with Corona del Mar getting the No. 2 berth if it wins Saturday and Saddleback the No. 2 berth if Irvine wins. A league’s third-place team is almost guaranteed a first-round playoff game on the road.