Patriots, Cardinals hit playoffs

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Pioneer, Woodland Christian set for CIF postseason Wednesday

Woodland Christian senior Teagan Hayes hit one of the Cardinals’ two home runs during a Sierra Delta League game against Mesa Verde on May 1. CARLOS GUERRERO — DAILY DEMOCRAT

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By Carlos Guerrero

cguerrero@dailydemocrat.com

After a pair of fantastic regular seasons from both the Pioneer High School and Woodland Christian varsity softball teams that included at least a share of their respective league titles, a grueling gauntlet in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and Division V playoffs awaits.

Pioneer High School >> A move to a new, more competitive league didn’t stop the Patriots from winning it all once again, as the team ended its inaugural year in the Monticello Empire League with a share of the title alongside Vanden and Vacaville, who each took a game off one another.

Thanks to that fantastic debut season, the Patriots were graciously awarded the No. 2 overall seed in D4, meaning home-field advantage all the way through to the section championships, if they were to advance past each round.

They will host No. 15 seed Del Campo in the D4 first round on Wednesday at Pioneer High School at 4 p.m.

If they defeat Del Campo, they would be in line to face either the No. 7 seed Beyer or the No. 10 seed Twelve Bridges at home in the quarterfinals.

Barring no huge upsets, in the semifinals, the Patriots would likely be in line to face either the No. 3 seed Yuba City or the No. 6 seed East Union.

On the other side of the bracket, the top teams include the No. 1 seed Destiny Christian Academy and No. 4 seed Ceres. A potential CIF SJS D4 final would take place on Saturday, May 24 at a neutral site.

Woodland Christian school >> The Cardinals went undefeated in the Sierra Delta League, winning the league championship, and were somehow only awarded the D5 No. 11 overall seed, meaning they will need to get some help in other games if they would like to have a home playoff game.

In the meantime, the Cardinals will hit the road in the first round to take on the D5 No. 6 seed Ripon on Wednesday, with the first pitch set for 4 p.m.

If they upset Ripon, the Cardinals would hit the road again to take on No. 3 seed Livingston, or if an upset were to happen, host No. 14 Venture Academy in the quarterfinals.

In a potential semifinal match, the likely opponents would be No. 2 seed Linden. On the other side of the bracket, top seeds include No. 1 seed Casa Roble and No. 4 seed Liberty Ranch. The CIF SJS D5 final would be on Saturday, May 24, at a neutral site.