Softball: Louisville, Mayfield gain CIF-SS semifinals

Two all-girls Catholic schools have reached the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Softball Tournament, after posting quarterfinal victories on May 9.

Eighth-seeded Louisville of Woodland Hills (14-9) upset No. 2 Grace Brethren 1-0 in the Division 5 quarterfinals, led by sophomore Grace Luderer who pitched a shutout and blasted a fifth-inning homerun. The Royals — who lost in the 2016 D-5 final — will play at No. 3 Whittier Christian (23-3) on May 14, 3:15 p.m.

In Division 7, third-seeded Mayfield of Pasadena (13-8) slugged four homeruns, two by Julia Domingo, in a 21-8 rout of the Academy of Academic Excellence in Apple Valley. The Cubs — who have outscored their opponents 51-9 in their three playoff wins — will host Westridge (12-7) in the May 14 semifinals, 3:15 p.m.

Two other Catholic schools weren’t as fortunate in the quarterfinals. In Division 1, seventh-seeded Santa Margarita (25-4) ended its season with an 8-7 loss to No. 2 Great Oak, while in D-5 sixth-seeded Flintridge Sacred Heart (18-6) was blanked 6-0 by No. 5 Redondo Union.

The finals will be played May 17 and 18 in Irvine.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News). 

Start your day with Always Forward, our award-winning e-newsletter. Get this smart, handpicked selection of the day’s top news, analysis, and opinion, delivered to your inbox. Sign up absolutely free today!