La Cañada softball welcomes Arroyo in CIF opener
La Cañada High softball coach Chuck Gunter is happy his team got a big distraction out of the way before taking part in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“The girls had their prom Saturday, so that is always a big deal and they put a lot of time and effort into that,” Gunter said. “Because of the prom, I gave them Friday and Saturday off to let them enjoy that.
“But now that the prom is over we are really going to get after it this week so we can be ready for the playoffs.”
The Spartans will begin their playoff tenure Thursday at 3:15 p.m. with a Division IV first-round home game against El Monte Arroyo.
La Cañada (17-4) enters the playoffs after capturing the Rio Hondo League championship.
“One of the reasons why we play so hard in league is to be able to win a championship so we can get a home game for the first round of the playoffs,” Gunter said. “It’s always nice to settle in for the first game at home in front of your home crowd.
“We are looking forward to the playoffs and we are going to be ready.”
The Spartans will take on an Arroyo (13-7-1) team that finished second in the Mission Valley League behind champion South El Monte.
“I don’t know much about Arroyo and we haven’t played them in several years,” Gunter said. “I am familiar with their league, but I just haven’t been following them this season. But I will get as much information about them as I can.”
La Cañada went 12-0 in league and has won its last six games.
“We have had some tough games this year and playing in games like that is only going to help us in the playoffs,” Gunter said. “They are playing well right now.
“This is a great group and they really get along. A lot of these girls have been playing together since they were 12-years-olds in all-stars. They are really a good group of friends.”
If the Spartans are successful in their opener, they will move on to the second round Tuesday where they will take on Montclair (16-10, Mt. Baldy League champion) or the winner of the wild-card between Arcadia (16-4-1, No. 3 Pacific League) and Highland (17-9-1, No. 3 Golden League).
In the 2016 Division IV playoffs, the Spartans lost in the second round to Santa Monica, 2-1.
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