Softball: Down to the wire in Century, Moore, Pioneer leagues
For many schools, the final day of the regular season is Thursday. That means there are plenty of big softball games around the Southland with league titles at stake as well as playoff ramifications.
Among the biggest games of the day:
El Modena (17-8-1, 8-1) at Anaheim Canyon (22-6, 8-1), 3:15 p.m.: If not for a surprising loss to El Dorado, Canyon -- No. 11 in The Times' ranking -- would have a little wiggle room against No. 12 El Modena. Instead, this is winner-take-all for the Century League title. It could have a serious impact on the playoffs, as Canyon is No. 4 in Division II and El Modena is No. 7. Arguably, both teams are more proven than the teams ranked second and third, Mission Viejo and Etiwanda. In The Times' ranking, it's No. 11 Canyon, No. 12 El Modena, No. 16 Etiwanda and No. 25 Mission Viejo.
Lakewood (22-5, 10-1) at Long Beach Wilson (20-7, 9-2), 3:15 p.m.: Lakewood has won eight in a row and defeated Wilson in their first Moore League meeting, 1-0, on Adriana Valdez's home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. How's that for drama? Lakewood is ranked fifth in Division II, and Wilson is ranked ninth. Both are also in The Times top 25: Wilson 10th, Lakewood 13th.
North Torrance (19-9, 7-2) at Torrance (23-4, 8-1), 3:15 p.m.: Torrance has won 13 of its last 14, but could potentially find itself in a three-way tie for first place in the Pioneer League if it loses to the Saxons and El Segundo (19-6) beats South Torrance (8-16). Torrance won their last meeting, 3-0, in 10 innings as Karina Scott had two RBIs and Jessica Moon pitched a four-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Torrance is ranked No. 1 in Division V, followed by No. 2 North and No. 3 El Segundo. In a game Tuesday, El Segundo beat North, 4-0.
-- Martin Henderson
