Baseball: It’s time to play ball starting Friday
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If you’re a fan of high school baseball, Friday marks the official start of the season, with dozens of games to be played and more on Saturday. Here’s a look at some of the top openers and tournaments to visit because lots of elite pitchers figure to be in action.
Top-ranked Mater Dei opens at home against No. 16 Valencia on Friday in the Newport Elks tournament. That sets up a potential meeting between pitcher Aaron Northcraft and Valencia sophomore shortstop Christian Lopes, pictured.
No. 2 El Toro is at home against Long Beach Millikan in the Loara tournament. No. 3 Capistrano Valley is at home against Huntington Beach in the Newport Elks tournament.
Defending Southern Section Division I champion Simi Valley, ranked No. 4, plays at Hueneme in the Southern California Showdown. In the same tournament, No. 5 Chatsworth plays host to Burbank Burroughs.
The Southern California Invitational includes No. 8 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and No. 11 Simi Valley Royal.
In the Glendora tournament, No. 9 Bishop Amat plays Alta Loma on Friday and No. 6 Northview takes on Bonita Saturday night.
-- Eric Sondheimer