El Segundo to Open Against El Rancho

Two standout pitchers are expected to meet today when fourth-seeded El Segundo High plays El Rancho of Pico Rivera in the first round of the Southern Section Division III baseball playoffs at 3:15 p.m. at Recreation Park.

Pioneer League champion El Segundo (20-6) will start left-handed junior David Reed (10-1), who has won his past 10 decisions and leads the area with a 1.00 earned-run average. Reed, whose only defeat was against Long Beach Wilson on March 9, pitched a one-hitter in his last start.

El Rancho (12-10), the third-place team from the Whitmont League, is expected to start left-hander Randy Flores (7-2), who has a 1.30 ERA. In his last outing Friday, Flores gave up one hit, struck out 16 and walked one in eight innings against Pioneer of Whittier. El Rancho lost in the ninth, 2-1.

El Rancho advanced to today’s game by beating Rancho Alamitos, 3-2, in a wild-card game Tuesday.

Here is a look at today’s other playoff games involving South Bay teams. All games start at 3:15:

Division I

Hawthorne (10-15) vs. Crespi (24-2) at L.A. Valley College--Top-seeded Crespi of Encino has a 14-game winning streak and a dominating pitcher in right-hander Jeff Suppan (9-1). In 75 innings pitched, the UCLA recruit has 103 strikeouts, 10 walks and an 0.75 earned-run average. Also an offensive threat, Suppan is batting .472 with nine home runs and 45 runs batted in. Hawthorne’s best hitter, outfielder Aaron Ruppe (.473), is sidelined because of a knee injury.

Ocean View (20-8) at Peninsula (18-6)--Peninsula Coach Garry Poe said Thursday he hadn’t decided whether Arin McCarthy (7-1) or Brian Bowles (7-1), the Panthers’ two junior right-handers, would start. Either way, Peninsula will be tested. Ocean View of Huntington Beach has five starters batting over .400, including catcher Mike Bellovich (.468), who has seven home runs and 40 RBIs. Bellovich had a home run and three runs batted in Tuesday in a 9-8 wild-card victory over Mission Viejo.

Division II

Mira Costa (17-9) at Orange (14-11)--Mira Costa lost its last three Ocean League games, falling from first place into a tie for second with Redondo. The Mustangs will rest their playoff hopes on the right arm of senior Brian Zinda (11-2), who leads the area with 99 strikeouts in 84 innings and has a 2.41 ERA. Orange, despite a mediocre record, won the Century League title.

Redondo (18-9) at Troy (19-6-1)--Redondo might be the area’s hottest team, having won 15 of 18 games after a 3-6 start. The Sea Hawks have improved defensively since early in the season, and pitchers Scott Albin and Chris Peacock give the team two capable starters. Albin (7-2), a junior right-hander, pitched a four-hitter Tuesday in a 7-0 wild-card victory over Glendora. Peacock (5-2), a senior left-hander, will start against Troy of Fullerton. The Freeway League champions are expected to start Rick Parmenter (8-1, 1.97 ERA).

Division III

South Torrance (14-12) at Irvine (20-7)--South advanced Tuesday with a 2-1 wild-card victory over Mayfair. The Spartans, who finished third in the Pioneer League, rely on left-handed pitcher Wayne Anderson (8-6) and junior shortstop Paul Weeks (.465). Anderson, though, pitched a six-hitter Tuesday and won’t start against Irvine. The Sea View League champions are led by first baseman Ryan Jones (.483, six homers, 29 RBIs) and pitcher Tommy Louie (10-3, 1.98 ERA).

West Torrance (16-10-1) at Quartz Hill (14-8)--Pioneer League runner-up West hopes that Derek Nicholson gets to the plate with men on base. The junior infielder is batting .529 with 12 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 31 RBIs. He leads the area with 46 hits. Right-hander Mike Myro (8-4, 1.49 ERA) will start for the Warriors. Quartz Hill won the Golden League title.

Division IV

Santa Paula (12-10) vs. Mary Star (16-7) at Fromhold Field, San Pedro--Despite having a successful program, Mary Star is 0-5 in playoff games dating to 1988. The Stars, who won the Santa Fe League title, will try to break their postseason streak against Santa Paula, an at-large entry. Mary Star is led by Gary Sloan (.425, 23 RBIs), Joe Sulentor (.423, 10 doubles) and Chuck Ursini (.420, four home runs, 24 RBIs).

Division VI

South Bay Lutheran (10-5-1) at Liberty Christian (13-7)--South Bay Lutheran will travel to Huntington Beach to play the Academy League runner-up. Heritage League runner-up Lutheran relies on Cedric Hurd, who is batting .529 with nine doubles, 34 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.