Here is a look at some of Tuesday’s top CIF Southern Section playoff games involving Inland teams.
All of the games below are second-rounders.
Division 1
Corona (26-3) at Mater Dei (17-12), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Corona did not need a reminder how tough the Division 1 playoffs are but got one anyway. The top-seeded Panthers were locked in a scoreless game with El Dorado in last week’s opener, but junior shortstop Billy Carlson ended the drama with a walk-off home run in the seventh inning. Seniors Ethan Schiefelbein and Jake Skelskey combined on a two-hitter. Junior Seth Hernandez (7-0, 0.49 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the Panthers on Tuesday. Sophomore center fielder Anthony Murphy leads the team with a .404 average and 34 runs. Mater Dei finished sixth in the tough Trinity League, but the Monarchs do own a win over Corona (5-3 in the Boras Classic title game) and knocked off Baseline League champion Damien 5-0 in the opening round.
Aquinas (23-6) at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (19-9-1), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Aquinas cruised to a 7-2 victory over Garden Grove Pacifica in the opening round. Senor second baseman Landon Young homered and knocked in three runs to lead the offense, and senior Bradley Gilbert went six innings on the mound. Falcons coach Mike Carpentier has a few pitching options Tuesday, including junior Jason Gerfers (4-1, 1.11 ERA) and junior Gavin Egan (4-0, 1.16). Sherman Oaks Notre Dame rolled to a 16-1 first-round victory over Torrance. The Knights could turn to MLB Draft prospect Levi Sterling or senior Erik Puodzlunas to throw Tuesday’s game.
Orange Lutheran (23-6) at Vista Murrieta (20-8), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Vista Murrieta had no troubles in its playoff opener, posting a 12-2 victory over Millikan. Junior Gavin Kramer knocked in four runs and junior Brady Luyben homered and drove in three more runs. Junior Vaughn Neckar went four innings for his eighth win and could return to the mound Tuesday. If he doesn’t, senior Jorge Rodriguez (7-1, 1.29) or Kramer (3-2, 1.89) could get the call. Orange Lutheran won the Trinity League championship and opened the playoffs with a 6-0 win over Sierra Canyon.
Division 2
Arlington (25-4) at Palos Verdes (18-11), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Arlington is the No. 4 seed in this playoff bracket, and the Lions opened with a 4-2 win over Woodbridge. Sophomore Troy Khasaempanth went 2 for 3 and knocked in two runs, and he likely will get the start on the mound Tuesday afternoon. Junior third baseman Nick Velazquez sparked the Lions’ offense from the leadoff spot. Palos Verdes opened with an 8-3 victory over San Marcos. Senior Tyler Tellenbach led the way with four runs batted in. Tellenbach could be on the mound Tuesday.
Citrus Valley (17-9) at Crean Lutheran (16-12), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Citrus Valley scored five runs in the fifth and sixth innings and pulled away for an 11-0 victory over Warren in last week’s opener. The offense is led by junior left fielder Matthew Bline (.409, 28 runs) and senior second baseman Ryan Rossi (.402, 27 RBIs). Senior Kade Finazzo tossed six scoreless innings in the playoff opener to pick up his ninth win. Citrus Valley probably expected to see Paloma Valley in this game, but Crean Lutheran held on for a 9-8 victory over the No. 2-seeded Wildcats.
Division 3
Centennial (22-6) at Arrowhead Christian Academy (18-8), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Centennial is the division’s top-seeded team and opened with a 2-1 victory over Lakewood. Senior Espn Simpson went 6 1/3 inning for the win, while senior Jaden McNeely recorded the final two outs for the save. McNeely (5-3, 1.07 ERA) and senior Michael Malki (6-1, 1.50 ERA) are options on the mound for Centennial on Tuesday. Senior shortstop Matthew Bernath leads the team with a .402 average. Arrowhead Christian erased an early 6-0 deficit and rallied for an 11-7 win over Tahquitz last week. Daniel Rivera drove in four runs, and junior Ethan Bingaman struck out 11 in six innings of relief to pick up the win. Bingaman also leads the team with a .487 average, seven homers and 26 RBIs.
Division 5
Lakeside (17-5) at Chino (12-9-1), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Lakeside won the Inland Valley League title this season, and the Lancers opened the playoffs with a 9-3 victory over Anaheim. David Rodriguez went 4 1/3 innings on the mound to earn the victory, and he also went 3 for 4 with two runs and two runs batted in from the leadoff spot. Chino opened with a 5-0 victory over Ramona in last week’s opening round. Senior Paccelli Nieto tossed 6 1/3 scoreless inning to earn the win on the mound.
Bloomington (17-12) at Chino Hills (17-8-2), 3:15 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Bloomington closed the regular season with four straight losses, but the Bruins bounced back and pulled out a 4-3 victory over Hemet in last week’s opener. Senior Andrew Martin went the distance and struck out seven batters to register his fourth win. Bloomington likely will turn to senior Andrew Tejada (6-3, 2.19 ERA) to throw Tuesday’s game. Chino Hills is the division’s No. 2-seeded team and opened with a 3-1 victory over Bellflower. Sophomore Brody Buoncristiani allowed one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings of work to pick up his eighth win. Buoncristiani also leads the team with a .380 average.
