Softball notes: Round 2 for Century rivals

It's fight week.

That's right, No. 7 El Modena (19-7, 8-2) plays at No. 8 Canyon (15-8, 8-2) on Tuesday in what should be another classic Century League showdown. Canyon rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh to beat El Modena, 11-10, on April 12. Canyon vs. El Modena is easily the best rivalry in the county.

The Vanguards conclude the regular season against No. 3 Esperanza (21-7, 10-1) on Thursday at El Modena.

"As we head into this gauntlet of teams who both possess great depth and talent, it is our goal to accurately demonstrate our ability to compete," El Modena coach Steve Harrington said. "Further, they will see an El Mo team who enjoys playing together and the enthusiasm we share looking at the challenges they have placed before us.

"I have asked these kids to say very little and maintain a sense of humility unlike our competitors. With cautious optimism I look for these kids to put their best foot forward and play to their level of ability. We believe in the end the score will take care of itself."

The Vanguards have five sophomores, two freshmen, one junior and two seniors on their starting lineup.

"In terms of our team's overall performance, I am extremely pleased," Harrington said. "Taking into consideration our youth and lack of experience we have put up some impressive offensive numbers. As the season runs its course, our kids have grown to enjoy competing with and for each other. I see this as an illustration of our growing maturity. Perhaps our most significant area of growth is the ability to deflect pressure and merely step on the field and play.

"These kids now realize that they play a valued part in maintaining the level of excellence and tradition that has been established by previous El Mo teams. Out of necessity our team feels a strong commitment to represent our program and do their part to make El Modena family proud."

FREEWAY LEAGUE TUSSLE

The Freeway League is as tight as ever heading into the final week of the regular season. La Habra (18-8, 7-1), Sunny Hills (12-9, 6-2), Troy (14-11, 5-3) and Fullerton (12-14, 5-3) are battling for three playoff berths. Fullerton has the roughest road left with games at Sunny Hills on Tuesday and against La Habra on Thursday.

"(It's) going to be a dogfight like always," Indians coach Mark Takkinen said. "We have to win out to make the playoffs, so our playoffs start this week."

Highlanders coach Frank McCarroll is expecting another wild finish to the regular season.

"Four teams playing for three spots, last week of the season," McCarroll said. "High school sports at its best. Play catch, timely hits equals success. Fullerton is the X factor this week."

NOTES

• No. 5 Edison has a huge week ahead. The Chargers (22-3, 7-1) play at cross-town rival Marina (18-10, 5-3) on Tuesday and then they close out the regular season against No. 4 Los Alamitos (20-6, 7-1) with the Sunset League title on the line. Los Alamitos won the first meeting against Edison, 2-1, on April 24. Los Al's sophomore shortstop Infinity Laufou is on fire in league play. She has gone 11 for 26 with six runs, one double, one triple, three homers and 10 RBIs in eight league games. ...

• Segerstrom (18-4-1, 7-1) and Ocean View (15-8, 7-1) are tied for first place in the Golden West League heading into the final week of the regular season. Segerstrom plays at Ocean View on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. with the league championship on the line. The Jaguars are led by Long Beach State-bound Selene Pola and the Seahawks are led by Hawaii-bound Brittany Hitchcock. ...

• The Pacific Coast League championship will be at stake when Northwood (13-7-1, 7-1) plays Woodbridge (15-11, 7-1) on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Barber Park. Woodbridge beat Northwood, 14-4, in the first meeting on April 19. Woodbridge's top players are Nebraska-bound Danica Bishop and Boise State-bound Kayla Clausen. Northwood's top players are the Thomas twins, Nicole and Lindsay, who have both signed with UNC Greensboro.