Six local softball teams qualify for CIF playoffs

The CIF Southern Section released its softball playoff pairings on Saturday.

The long-awaited day arrived for a sport that had its season canceled by the coronavirus pandemic last season. Six local teams will be competing in the section’s first softball playoffs since the spring of 2019.

Huntington Beach (20-4), the Surf League champion, earned the No. 2 seed in the Division 1 playoffs. The Oilers will open at home against Temecula Great Oak (10-10), which finished third in the Southwestern League.

After reaching the semifinals the last time the section had a softball postseason, Huntington Beach will be looking to take one step further if it is to fulfill its seeding.

Marina (11-9) finished last in the Surf League, but received an at-large berth in the bracket of the top division. The Vikings will have to contend with No. 3-seeded Pacifica (18-3), the Empire League champion, in their first-round game.

Newport Harbor (15-8) repeated as the Wave League champion. The Sailors will host Santiago (7-3, tied for second in the Garden Grove League) in a first-round game on Thursday.

Fountain Valley (12-12), another Wave League representative, will travel to take on San Andreas League champion Rialto Carter (9-0) for its Division 5 opener.

Ocean View (12-10), which tied for second place in the Golden West League, will get a home game against an opponent from the Orange League in Savanna.

Costa Mesa (10-5) finished in second place behind Calvary Chapel in the Orange Coast League this season. The Mustangs get a first-round road game against Rancho Alamitos (13-9, tied for second in the Garden Grove League) to begin the Division 6 playoffs.

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