The Culver City High School softball team hopes to be playing a third round playoff game Thursday after playing Azusa in the second round.

The 14-12 Centaurs opened the CIF Division 6 playoffs last week with a convincing 11-1 victory over Hawthorne Math and Science Academy.

Culver City broke open the game in the fifth inning when they scored six runs on a combination of timely hitting and Hawthorne errors.

“This win means so much,” said senior catcher Mariko Rooks. “We have been working incredibly hard to get back to the CIF playoffs.

“We wanted to win our first playoff game, to do it at home, and to do it together.

“Everyone did her job.”

To capture the CIF championship, the Centaurs need to win five times.

Rooks thinks that is possible. “We have a real good shot at going deep into the playoffs,” she said.

Culver City has several outstanding players, especially from the freshman class.

Ryan Merriwether, Gabby Guerrero, Lailah Bell, Sophie Little, Analya Mitchell, Michelle Franco and Ashley Balzer have been producing with the bat and glove.

Junior pitcher Emily Piera has led the Centaurs on the mound with her combination of off-speed pitches and pinpoint accuracy.

Freshman shortstop Guerrero said: “I think we can make it all the way. I have faith. I believe in this team.”

The Centaurs’ baseball team lost their second round playoff to Righetti of Santa Maria 2-1.  They finished with a 13-15 record after going 7-3 in the Ocean League.

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