Northview won the Valle Vista League title this season on the strength of its pitching. Northview allowed only three runs over its four games before Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 4 first-round playoff game against Valencia in Covina.

But Valencia scored two runs in the third inning and two more in the seventh and that was all it needed to defeat Northview, 4-1, Friday.

Valencia advances to Tuesday’s second round against Katella or Dos Pueblos.

Northview senior pitcher AJ Flores had been the team’s rock all season. He had good moments Friday, but he also fought control issues and allowed seven hits and three walks to go with five strikeouts.

Valencia (14-13) took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run single by Lincoln Hunt.

Northview had a chance for a big rally in the bottom half of the inning. A one-out double by Joey Ramos and three consecutive walks forced in a run to cut Valencia’s lead to 2-1.

But Valencia pitcher Noah Jaquez got a pop out and strikeout to limit the damage in the inning.

After Flores gave up a walk to start the seventh inning, he was replaced by Jon Hernandez. Valencia got a single and walk to load the bases. Hunt singled in Cole DeYoung and a walk forced in another run to push Valencia’s lead to 4-1.

— Fred Robledo

ANAHEIM CANYON 10, MARANATHA 6: Maranatha went into the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs with momentum and confidence after capturing its seventh consecutive Olympic League title.

However, the Minutemen’s season came to an abrupt end in their first round after Anaheim Canyon pulled out a victory Friday.

Maranatha’s Josh Proctor, Eric Zdunek, and Lukus Perez all finished 2 for 4 at the plate, but it wasn’t enough as the Minutemen’s offense was outpaced on the road.

Perhaps the big surprise Friday was that Maranatha coach Matt Shupper didn’t start arguably the San Gabriel Valley’s top pitcher, Zach Strickland, a UCLA commit with a 6-0 record and a 0.58 ERA.

“We were hoping to get by,” Shupper said, explaining his reason for not starting his ace. “This team (Canyon) had a bunch of lefties. We were gonna throw Carson Kelly and bullpen this game.

“Our pitching staff has been phenomenal all season with an ERA that is sub-two. So, we were hoping to have Zach close out this game if we grabbed the lead and start him in Game 2 if that’s what it came down to.”

— Gabriel Duarte

MONROVIA 5, CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN 3: Monrovia took care of business and defended its home turf against Capistrano Valley Christian in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs on Friday.

Riding a great effort from junior pitcher James Quesenbery, Monrovia came away with a victory to advance to the second round.

Monrovia (21-7) will be on the road Tuesday against Oxnard Pacifica, an 8-0 winner over California in the first round.

Quesenbery got the victory, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run with three strikeouts. He wasn’t overpowering and relied on his defense to make plays behind him.

Capistrano Valley Christian (16-13) threatened with a one-out double in the first inning, but Quesenberry got a strikeout and ground out to escape.

That was key because the Wildcats answered to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, Sully Zinn singled and Troy Grise walked. Isaias Hernandez doubled home Zinn, and Grise scored on a sacrafice fly.

Monrovia doubled its lead to 4-0 in the third inning.

— Jonathan Santiago

GAHR 10, LA SALLE 0: Six shutout innings from starter Jake Ourique and two big offensive innings helped Gahr defeat La Salle in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday.

Junior right-hander Ourique was sensational for the Gladiators (17-12), who will face Etiwanda in the second round of the playoffs Tuesday.

Ourique stifled the Lancers batters through six scoreless innings, struck out eight and surrendered just one hit. He retired 15 consecutive batters over the last five innings.

Gahr was leading 1-0 going into the fourth inning and it broke the game open by scoring five runs against Lancers starting pitcher Nico Armendariz.

The right-hander had pitched well through the first three innings, but the Gladiators finally had him figured out by the fourth inning.

— Chris Camello

FRIDAY’S SCORES

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION 2

Crean Lutheran 6, La Habra 1

Anaheim Canyon 10, Maranatha 6

Gahr 10, La Salle 0

Trabuco Hills 4, Bonita 3

Mater Dei 3, South Hills 0

DIVISION 4

Valencia 4, Northview 2

Ganesha 2, Burroughs 0

La Canada 6, Downey 5

Sonora 3, Linfield Christian 2

Monrovia 5, Capistrano Valley Christian 3

Oxnard Pacifica 8, California 0

DIVISION 6

Muir 3, Rio Hondo Prep 1

Estancia 10, Alhambra 8

Foothill Tech 3, South El Monte 1

Marshall 6, Leuzinger 0

St. Bonaventure 3, Pasadena 1

Montebello 2, Oakwood 0

Santa Fe 4, Windward 1

DIVISION 8

Cate 3, Azusa 2

Westminster La Quinta 2, Rosemead 1

Beverly Hills 10, Pasadena Poly 6

Pioneer 5, Calvary Baptist 0

Arroyo 7, Edgewood 0

Duarte 7, Dunn 5

TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE

SECOND ROUND

DIVISION 1

Arcadia at Mira Costa

DIVISION 3

San Dimas at Colony

Yucaipa at Glendora

DIVISION 4

Ganesha at La Canada

South Torrance at Sonora

Monrovia at Oxnard Pacifica

DIVISION 5

Liberty at La Serna

DIVISION 6

Muir at Pacifica Christian

Cerritos at Marshall

Santa Fe at Ridgecrest Burroughs

Montebello at St. Bonaventure

DIVISION 7

Flintridge Prep at Bosco Tech

Schurr at Artesia

DIVISION 8

Duarte at New Roads

Pioneer at Hesperia Christian

DIVISION 9

Mountain View at Shalhevet

Pomona at Academy Career