Tested Teams Head to Rancho Santiago

Undoubtedly, the baseball teams with the most recent postseason experience are headed to the regional at Rancho Santiago.

The four teams--Rancho Santiago, Cypress, Los Angeles Harbor and Riverside--have combined to advance to the second round of regional play 36 of 40 possible times in the last 10 seasons.

Rancho Santiago and L.A. Harbor each have made it 10 times. Riverside has made it the last eight years in a row and Cypress missed only in ’90 and ’92.

In Friday’s first round: Cypress and L.A. Harbor meet at 11 a.m. and Rancho Santiago and Riverside play at 3 p.m.

The four teams in the other regional--Saddleback, Cuesta, Grossmont and Canyons, have combined for eight second-round appearances in the last 10 years. Saddleback and Cuesta each have three and this is the first time for Canyons and Grossmont.

In first-round games Friday: Grossmont and Cuesta play at 11 a.m. and Saddleback and Canyons play at 3.

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State softball: Cypress opens with West Valley at noon Friday in the first round of the state tournament at Golden West College. In other first-round games: Sacramento and Hancock play at noon and 2 p.m. Cosumnes River and Palomar meet, as do Long Beach and Chabot.

The winners play at 5 and 7 p.m. Friday. The losers play at noon Saturday. The semifinal game is at 7 p.m. Saturday and the title game Sunday at noon.

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Moving on: Three members of the Fullerton softball team, which shared the Orange Empire Conference title with Cypress, have earned scholarships, Coach Lisa Bassi said.

Deborah Hargrave, a utility player who was the conference’s most valuable player, and first baseman Lynette Velazquez are going to Oklahoma. Chris Pucco, who played second base, has signed with San Diego State.