Softball playoffs: Division V preview

DIVISION V

Seeded teams: No. 1 Torrance; No. 2 El Segundo; No. 3 Pasadena Poly; and No. 4 Rim of the World of Lake Arrowhead.

Top county contender: Whittier Christian is the lone county team in Division V, but the Heralds are a legit contender after winning the Olympic League title.

Darkhorse: Covina won a share of the Valle Vista League title and holds an 11-1 victory over Pasadena Poly.

Best first-round matchup: Duarte-Mark Keppel winner at Whittier Christian, Friday, 3:15 p.m.

Players to watch: Barthinia Bates (Victor Valley, .765, 5 HR, 16 RBIs, 30 R); Kaitlin Ellingsworth (Temple City, .444, 4 HR, 23 RBIs); Angel Felipe (San Jacinto, .554, 3 HR, 34 RBIs); Brittney Flores (Sierra Vista, 19-1, 1.42 ERA, 142 K, .608, 9 HR, 45 RBIs); Hannah Fraijo (Northview, 18-6, 0.87 ERA, 223 K); Veronica Garcia (Santa Paula, .754, 4 HR, 25 RBIs); Jill Huntsman (Covina, 16-5, 0.84 ERA, 101 K); Janae Lapierre (Big Bear, 13-3, 1.90 ERA, 152 K, .467, 3 HR, 30 RBIs); Megan Latta (Pasadena Poly, .488, 20 RBIs, 29 R); Jacqueline Lopez (Montebello, .475, 15 RBIs, 14 R); Courtney McGee (Whittier Christian, 8-4, 1.38 ERA, 70 K, .468, 23 RBIs, 21 R); Jamie Moon (Torrance, .397, 25 RBIs); Jessica Moon (Torrance, 9-0, 0.62 ERA, 106 K); Melanie Nichols (San Jacinto, 13-4, 0.63 ERA, 217 K); Erica Prentice (Rim of the World, 0.35 ERA, 165 K, .500, 7 HR, 30 RBIs); and Tarra Smith (Covina, .507, 4 HR, 27 RBIs).

Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com