CIF-South playoffs begin

The CIF-Southern Section baseball and softball playoffs open this week, with four local teams in post-season play.

The opening round of the baseball playoffs begin today at 3:15 p.m.

At Ocean View High, the Seahawks will begin defense of their 2005 Division III title when they host Don Lugo.

Ocean View shared the Golden West League championship with Westminster this year but is the league’s No. 2 entry into the playoffs.

Don Lugo finished runner-up in the Mount Baldy League.

“We’re going to have to be both good and lucky,” Ocean View Coach Shane Borowski said of his team’s chances of repeating as champs. “In the playoffs, anything goes. One small break can send a team on to the next week and the other team home for good. Let’s hope we can be the team that keeps on playing.

“We don’t have the same sort of firepower that we did last year, but I think this year’s team is much more balanced. If we play our game ? lots of strikes, solid defense, and timely hitting ? then I like our chances against anybody out there. We would love to get back to the Big A, and it’s now a four-game season to do it. First things first: We have to win the first to get to the second, and that’s our only concern right now.”

Borowski said today’s starter will be either senior James Kang (6-3) or sophomore Scott Baxter (7-2).

“We will not hesitate to use both if we have to, nor will we hesitate to use sophomore reliever Sean Burleson and senior fire-baller Jason Walker. All arms are on call.”

Edison, which finished in third place in the Sunset League, travels for its first-round Division I game and will play at Newbury Park, champion of the Marmonte League.

The softball playoffs begin at 3:15 p.m. Friday, and Sunset League champion Marina drew a first-round date with Corona.

The Vikings are the No. 3 seed in the division playoffs. The Panthers are an at-large entry from the Mountain View League.

Ocean View, which finished second in the Golden West League, travels north to face Channel League runner-up Ventura.