Culver City High School’s 19-7 baseball team has the pitching and hitting to make a deep playoff run in the CIF Division 3 playoffs that begin Friday at home at 3:15.

The Centaurs host the winner of an at- large game between Xavier Prep (11-14), third in the Desert Valley League and Elsinore (12-18), third in the Sunbelt League.

The Centaurs won the Ocean League with a 10-0 record, and they are riding a 13-game winning streak.

Their tough pre-season schedule should help them in the playoffs.

Although Culver City played the top teams in Southern California in the pre-season, their pitching and hitting will decide which direction they go.

With the 1-2 punch of Nolan Martinez and Eli Saucedo on the mound and several players getting timely hits, Culver City hopes to reach the CIF finals.

Michael Netzel, batting .459 with nine triples, is the leader at the plate. Ryan Weiner is hitting .365, Max Sterner, .345. Kevin Murillo is hitting .397, Martinez .300. At .299, centerfielder Mason Mulvihill has 12 stolen bases.

Their defense has been solid so the Centaurs go in with momentum.

If the Centaurs win on Friday, their second round game will probably be against 24-8 San Luis Obispo, No. 1 team in the Pac-8 League, on Tuesday.

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com