PLAYOFFS.

SOFTBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION

Wild card:

Division I

All games 3:15 p.m.

Valencia (12-14) at Highland (17-10)

Summary: Highland seeks its third straight victory over Valencia after triumphing 5-4 on March 25 and 5-3 on March 13. Highland is strong up the middle: Pitcher Nichole Rawson is 16-9 with a 1.30 ERA; catcher Ashlie D'Errico is fourth among large Southern Section schools in the region with a .493 average and has four home runs; and shortstop Natalie Rawson is batting .378.

Why Highland will win: The Bulldogs already proved themselves with the two earlier victories. They made two errors in a season-ending 14-4 victory over Palmdale, but coach Glenda Potts swears the team's fielding slump is over.

Why Valencia will win: It's been said the hardest thing to do in sports is to beat a team three times in a row - a fact not lost on Potts: ``When I found out we were playing Valencia again, I thought, `Oh, brother,' '' she said.

Division VI

Lancaster Desert Christian (8-11) at Rosamond (10-12)

Summary: Desert Christian, which lost 19-1 to Rosamond in a nonleague game earlier this season, finished third in the Desert Mountain League and Rosamond third in the more competitive High Desert League.

Why Desert Christian will win: The Knights need a big performance from sophomore pitcher Tracey Schramm (3-5, 6.00 ERA), who is the team's leading hitter with a .430 average, two home runs, 25 RBI and 28 runs.

Why Rosamond will win: The Roadrunners have 715 students, more than twice as many as Desert Christian, so there is a larger talent pool. Desert Christian has been plagued by shoddy fielding.