DAILY UPDATE.

COLLEGES

Antelope Valley College

The softball team opens play in the Southern California Regional playoffs today at noon as the 14th seed, its lowest seed since the tournament moved to a 16-team format in 1993.

The Marauders (16-26), who finished second in the Foothill Conference, play third seed and host Long Beach City (36-8), the second-place team from the South Coast Conference.

- Sean Ceglinsky

HIGH SCHOOLS

Antelope Valley

Boys' tennis singles players Mike Dalgleish, Chris Semays and Noel Lopez have carried the Antelopes all year. The three went 9-0, losing a combined four games in a 14-4 victory over Littlerock on Thursday. Dalgleish, at No. 1 singles, didn't lose a game for Antelope Valley (8-6, 4-5 Golden League).

- Matthew Kredell

Highland

After a 9-6 loss to Golden League-leading Quartz Hill on Tuesday, the softball team regrouped with a 3-2 victory over Antelope Valley on Thursday, putting it in a tie with Lancaster for second place in the league.

Highland trailed 2-0 heading into the sixth inning Thursday before catcher Bridgett Morales' two-run single. Starting pitcher Lauren Tantlinger then helped her own cause by scoring the game-winning run later in the inning. Tantlinger also had 10 strikeouts to earn the complete-game win.

- Ramona Shelburne

Lancaster

Despite an 8-4 loss to Quartz Hill, which dropped Lancaster to 3-3 in Golden League play, the softball team received encouraging news Thursday. Junior Amanda Riley made her first pitching appearance in a month and threw a scoreless seventh inning.

- Heather Gripp

Littlerock

Thrust into the job of boys' tennis coach a week before the season, Steve Hazelton would like to return next year. The Lobos lost 14-4 on Thursday against Antelope Valley to fall to 0-9 in the Golden League, but Hazelton said the year has been a learning experience for both him and his players.

Hazelton said he would like to organize a fall clinic to encourage offseason participation and is hopeful the school will build three new tennis courts on campus.

Against Antelope Valley, senior Eddie Ayala and sophomore Cesar Ortega teamed up to win two of three sets in their doubles match. Littlerock will close out its season Tuesday against Lancaster at Palmdale.

- Ross Siler

Palmdale

Jacob Smith is losing momentum in Golden League boys' golf. After finishing in the top two all season at Golden League meets, he finished in a tie for fifth Thursday, shooting 75 on the par-72 Rancho Vista golf course, four shots behind winner Brian Barcelona of Quartz Hill. The league will play again Monday with other schools in the Palmdale Invitational at Crystalaire Golf Course at 1:30 p.m.

- Matthew Kredell

Paraclete

The postseason is rapidly approaching and most softball teams are focusing on league-championship races. But the Paraclete-hosted Desert Diamond Classic beginning today will provide the Spirits and the other participants key tuneup games.

Paraclete, with a 1-3 record in the Olympic League, can use some momentum; the Spirits have lost their past two league games.

The tournament concludes next Saturday. All games will be played at Lancaster City Park.

- Chris Cocoles

Quartz Hill

The boys' golf team competes against the entire Golden League on Monday in the Palmdale Invitational at Crystalaire Golf Course. The Rebels' outlook is bright after Brian Barcelona took medalist honors at Thursday's league match featuring all of the league's schools, and Quartz Hill placed second as a team.

- Heather Gripp