To put "LJ softball" and "playoffs" together in the same phrase (see title of post) is remarkable in itself.
Senior captains Stephanie Alvarez and Katja Sarain and their teammates have blazed their way to a fourth seed in the imminent CIF Division IV playoffs, giving them a bye in the first round Thurs., May 21, which is also remarkable.
Alvarez, Sarain and company kick off the Vikings' return to playoff action after many years of absence this Sat., May 23, against the winner of the Monte Vista-Southwest (SD) game on Thursday.
Gary Sinkeldam, who is the father of Josie, La Jolla's freshman shortstop, alerted me to the Vikings' possible seed last week. His daughter is part of the new look and new excitement surrounding the softball program, which was moribund for years.
From three wins last year to their current record of 5-7 in the Western League, 13-13 overall, Linda Brown, a sophomore at third base, and Emily Alvarez, Stephanie's sister at first base, have been part of the whole reconstruction of Coach Anthony Sarain's team.
The youth movement led to La Jolla's first league win in four years over Clairemont in the first round, followed by a walkoff grand slam home run by Stephanie Alvarez to beat a stunned Point Loma, which La Jolla hadn't beaten in many years and was treated almost like a non-entity by in the losing years.
Monte Vista, seeded fifth, is the Vikings' likelier second round opponent. Southwest is the lowest seed in the division at 12th. The playoffs allow for two losses by a team before elimination. Buckle your seat belts. It should be quite a ride.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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