Softball playoffs: Division IV preview

DIVISION IV

Seeded teams: No. 1 La Quinta of La Quinta; No. 2 Templeton; No. 3 Alemany of Mission Hills; and No. 4 Ocean View.

Top county contender: Ocean View brings a 14-game winning streak into the playoffs. Pitching can carry a team in the playoffs and the Seahawks have a good one in sophomore Holli Floetker. Arizona State-bound Nikole Afusia gives Ocean View a big-time bat. Look for the Seahawks to make a run.

Darkhorse: Savanna went undefeated in Orange League play for the fourth consecutive season. Tanya Dowler has been solid in the circle and as the Rebels leadoff hitter. Freshman shortstop Casey Snooks has been a big force on offense. Savanna is capable of making a deep run in Division IV.

Best first-round matchup: Ontario Christian at Segerstrom, Friday, 3:15 p.m.

Players to watch: Nikole Afusia (Ocean View, .526, 3 HR, 36 RBIs); Desiree Chavez (Indio, 16-4, 0.94 ERA, 191 K, .489, 29 R, 14 RBIs); Tanya Dowler (Savanna, 14-7, 1.27 ERA, 104 K); Holli Floetker (Ocean View, 13-1, 0.54 ERA, 164 K, .388, 7 HR, 24 RBIs); Kat Hicks (Templeton, 16-4, 0.52 ERA, 193 K); Amy Lwin (Bishop Amat of La Puente, 14-8, 2.29 ERA, 89 K); Jill McClelland (Templeton, .450, 6 HR, 16 RBIs); Tori Sadlak (Pomona Catholic, 16-12, 2.35 ERA, 166 K); Monica Segura (Segerstrom, 11-5, 0.77 ERA, 149 K, .547, 8 HR, 31 RBIs); Casey Snooks (Savanna, .416, 6 HR, 33 RBIs); Jessica Traxler (Bishop Amat of La Puente, .488, 26 RBIs); and Lindsey Webster (Alemany, 19-6, 0.97 ERA, 229 K, .377, 5 HR, 23 RBIs).

Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com