HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL : Iwafuchi Stops Carson, 5-2, in 4-A Playoff

Jodi Iwafuchi pitched a complete game and had four strikeouts as El Camino Real opened defense of its City Section championship with a 5-2 win over Carson in the first round of the 4-A playoffs Wednesday at El Camino Real.

Iwafuchi (12-0), a sophomore, had a shutout until the seventh. Andrea Rochetti had two hits, including a two-run home run, for El Camino Real (16-0), which has won four straight 4-A titles and owns a 71-game winning streak. El Camino Real will face Chatsworth on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

CITY SECTION 4-A PLAYOFFS

Christina Roopenian hurled a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts as Chatsworth beat Canoga Park, 7-0, at Chatsworth. Roopenian (6-2), a junior, had a no-hitter for 5 innings before allowing a single.

Cindy Campbell had four hits, including a home run to cap a nine-run first inning, to lead Sylmar to a 19-4 win over Birmingham at Sylmar. Senior Deanna Monroy (11-3) had five strikeouts and earned the win. Sylmar (11-4), which turned three double plays, will play Narbonne, a 7-4 winner over North Hollywood, in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

Avery Kutcher was 2 for 3 and had 2 RBIs to lead Kennedy to a 7-0 victory over Taft. Deann Wright pitched a complete game, striking out six and walking two for Kennedy (14-5). Kennedy will play Banning, which routed Poly, 30-2, in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

Rachel Raigoza hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning as San Fernando edged Verdugo Hills, 5-4. San Fernando (10-8) will play San Pedro in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

San Pedro scored four unearned runs on four errors to defeat Van Nuys, 6-3. Claudia Alfaro (9-2) allowed seven hits and suffered the loss for Van Nuys (11-4).

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

Saugus defeated Louisville, 1-0, in a 2-A wild-card game when Lori Whyte scored on a passed ball in the ninth inning after JoAnn Farkas had struck out with two outs and the bases loaded. Saugus (13-9) will play Arroyo in the first round Friday.