Baseball: Let’s see who can score in this game

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If you’re looking for the best Southern Section Division 1 playoff opener, it might be Newbury Park and Oregon-bound right-hander Jimmie Sherfy (8-1) talking on host Santa Ana Mater Dei and Arizona State-bound left-hander Cory Hahn (10-1) on Thursday at 3:15 p.m.

Sherfy was unbeaten in Marmonte League play, including a 14-strikeout performance against Simi Valley Royal. Hahn is tough to beat no matter who he faces.

Newbury Park is 19-9. Mater Dei is 15-10. Both schools have lots of quality young players who haven’t faced playoff pressure. The team that handles the pressure best should prevail.

-- Eric Sondheimer