High school softball playoffs: Preview, predictions and schedule in the Central Section
The Clovis North High softball team saw its unbeaten record come to an end at the expense of Central last week in the Tri-River Athletic Conference.
The Grizzlies won the game 2-1, but as expected, the Broncos are the top seed in Division I in the Central Section high school softball playoffs that begin Tuesday. Central is the No. 2 seed.
Other top seeds are St. Joseph (D-II), Fowler (D-III), Orange Cove (D-IV), Woodlake (D-V) and Riverdale (D-VI).
The section playoffs begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the championship games will be held at Margie Wright Diamond at Fresno State on May 26-27.
Preview, predictions
Division I: Clovis North is the clear favorite to win the title, but not before being challenged by its TRAC rivals. No. 3 Clovis is the defending champion. Predicted champion: Clovis North
Division II: St. Joseph gets the top billing in this division. Tulare Union is the second seed. There are plenty of tough matchups to go around. Predicted champion: Tulare Union
Division III: Fowler is the top seed and opens against new school No. 16 Sanger West. The Redcats come into the game winners of 10 straight. Bakersfield Christian is the No. 2 seed. It’s likely Fowler will be challenged by No. 5 Liberty-Madera Ranchos since they’ve played this season and split, decided by one run. Predicted champion: Fowler
Division IV: Orange Cove has been looking good all season and was rewarded with the top seed. Immanuel is the No. 2 seed. The Titans have won 15 games straight and won the section title last season. Predicted champion: Orange Cove
Division V: Woodlake is the top seed and faces No. 16 Fresno in the opener. No. 2 Boron hosts No. 15 North. Washington Union is the No. 3 seed. Predicted champion: Woodlake
Division VI: Very tough decision to call here. Predicted champion: No. 6 Sierra
Seeds, scores, schedule
4:30 p.m. Tuesday unless noted
Division I
No. 8 Stockdale 1, No. 9 Clovis West 0
No. 5 Bullard 13, No. 12 Liberty-Bakersfield 3, 5 inn
No. 11 Buchanan 14, No. 6 Kingsburg 0
No. 7 Independence 1, No. 10 Clovis East 0
Byes: No. 1 Clovis North, No. 2 Central, No. 3 Clovis No. 4 Centennial
Thursday
No. 8 Stockdale at No. 1 Clovis North
No. 5 Bullard at No. 4 Centennial
No. 11 Buchanan at No. 3 Clovis
No. 7 Independence at No. 2 Central
Division II
No. 1 St. Joseph 4, No. 16 Pioneer Valley 0
No. 9 Highland 8, No. 8 Mission Oak 0
No. 12 Selma 5, No. 5 Lompoc 2
No. 4 Madera 6, No. 13 Arroyo Grande 5
No. 14 Edison 7, No. 3 Redwood 3
No. 6 Sanger 5, No. 11 Monache 1
No. 10 Frontier 4, No. 7 Paso Robles 3
No. 2 Tulare Union 4, No. 15 Righetti 3
Thursday
No. 9 Highland at No. 1 St. Joseph
No. 12 Selma at No. 4 Madera
No. 14 Edison at No. 6 Sanger
No. 10 Frontier at No. 2 Tulare Union
Division III
No. 1 Fowler 3, No. 16 Sanger West 1
No. 8 Hanford West 4, No. 9 El Diamante 3
No. 5 Liberty-Madera Ranchos 7, No. 12 Coalinga 0
No. 4 Taft 8, No. 13 Cabrillo 3
No. 3 Wasco 3, No. 14 Tulare Western 0
No. 11 Templeton 19, No. 6 Dinuba 10
No. 7 Shafter 10, No. 10 Sierra Pacific 8
No. 15 Reedley 5, No. 2 Bakersfield Christian 0
Thursday
No. 8 Hanford Wes at No. 1 Fowler
No. 5 Liberty-Madera Ranchos at No. 4 Taft
No. 11 Templeton at No. 3 Wasco
No. 15 Reedley at No. 7 Shafter
Division IV
No. 1 Orange Cove 10, No. 16 San Luis Obispo 0
No. 8 Bakersfield 2, No. 9 Chavez 1
No. 5 Caruthers 13, No. 12 Chowchilla 3
No. 4 Corcoran 4, No. 13 Golden West 2
No. 3 McLane 4, No. 14 Porterville 3
No. 6 Nipomo 4, No. 11 Arvin 0
No. 7 Mission Prep 11, No. 10 Golden Valley 0
No. 2 Immanuel 9, No. 15 Tehachapi 1
Thursday
No. 8 Bakersfield at No. 1 Orange Cove
No. 5 Caruthers at No. 4 Corcoran
No. 6 Nipomo at No. 3 McLane
No. 7 Mission Prep at No. 2 Immanuel
Division V
No. 1 Woodlake 9, No. 16 Fresno 0
No. 8 Immanuel Christian 14, No. 9 Kern Valley 3
No. 12 Dos Palos 8, No. 5 Mira Monte 5
No. 4 Bishop Union 7, No. 13 Summit Charter Collegiate Academy 4
No. 3 Washington Union 12, No. 14 Madera South 2
No. 6 Farmersville 11, No. 11 Lindsay 10
No. 10 McFarland 14, No. 7 California City 12
No. 2 Boron 2, No. 15 North 1
Thursday
No. 8 Immanuel Christian at No. 1 Woodlake
No. 12 Dos Palos at No. 4 Bishop Union
No. 6 Farmersville at No. 3 Washington Union
No. 10 McFarland at No. 2 Boron
Division VI
No. 9 Minarets 7, No. 8 Roosevelt 4
No. 5 Rosamond 14, No. 12 Mojave 0
No. 4 South 15, No. 13 Strathmore 5
No. 3 Orcutt Academy 10, No. 14 Kings Christian 0
No. 6 Sierra 17, No. 11 Firebaugh 3
No. 10 Mendota 7, No. 7 Fresno Christian 6
Byes: No. 1 Riverdale, No. 2 Laton
Thursday
No. 9 Minarets at No. 1 Riverdale
No. 13 Rosamond at No. 4 South
No. 6 Sierra at No. 3 Orcutt Academy
No. 10 Mendota at No. 2 Laton
