Guards open CIF playoffs today

SOFTBALL

Bell-Jeff vs. Public Safety Academy: The Guards were scheduled to open the CIF Southern Section playoffs Thursday against the Phoenix, but Public Safety Academy had a school function and couldn’t play the game.

As a result, the Division VII first-round game will take place at 3 p.m. today at McCambridge Park.

The Guards (18-5) received the No. 2 seeding in the division after rolling to an easy title in the Santa Cruz League. It was the program’s second straight championship.

Because some of the teams in the Santa Cruz League didn’t exactly field strong teams, second-year Bell-Jeff Coach John Castaneda scheduled a challenging nonleague schedule that included bigger schools and more competitive squads in order to get the Guards prepared for the playoffs.

The Phoenix (9-8), which placed third in the Majestic League, advanced to the first round after defeating Maricopa, 5-4, win a wild-card game Tuesday.

A win would put the Guards into a second-round game at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Bloomington Christian.

Rolling Hills Prep 7, Providence 0: The Pioneers saw their season come to an end Thursday in a first-round game of the CIF Southern Section Division VII playoffs on the road.

The Pioneers (10-12) placed second in the Liberty League and the Huskies (14-2) were the No. 2 team from the Costal League.

Quartz Hill 9, Burbank 1: The Bulldogs couldn’t win the CIF Southern Section Division III wild-card game Tuesday on the road.

The Rebels (19-6-1) — the third-place team from the Golden League — scored all the runs they would need after pushing across five in the third inning.

Burbank (13-13) — the third-place team from the Pacific League — scored its lone run in the fourth inning.

BASEBALL

Crean Lutheran 5, Bell-Jeff 1: The Guards were defeated Thursday in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs on the road.

The Guards (11-9) placed second in the Santa Fe League, while the Saints (17-7) were the second seed from the Academy League.

Guards’ pitcher Matt Landini had eight strikouts in six innings.