ROUND 2 TO START TODAY IN SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

Three Marmonte, two Frontier and one Tri-Valley League softball team will take the field today in the second round of the Southern Section playoffs.

Each team advanced with first-round wins Friday.

In Division I, Newbury Park, Camarillo and Thousand Oaks will each be in action today.

The Panthers defeated Dos Pueblos 2-0 Friday, while the Scorpions beat Los Altos 3-0, and the Lancers nipped San Marcos 2-0.

Newbury Park will host Walnut today. Camarillo will welcome Rio Mesa and Thousand Oaks will travel to face Gahr.

In Division V, Oak Park, which beat Whitney 7-1 in the opening round, will play at St. Genevieve. Moorpark, a 6-2 winner over Immaculate Heart, will travel to Chadwick, while Calabasas, which blanked La Salle 10-0, will play at Valley Christian of Cerritos.

Camarillo will welcome the opportunity to play Rio Mesa, its cross-town rival. Many of the two teams' players attended elementary and junior high school together, so there's an added competitive edge.

``Our kids were a little upset because (Rio Mesa) wasn't on our schedule this year,'' Camarillo coach Nichole Victoria said. ``They've been looking forward to this for a long time.''

Victoria was pleased with the way the Scorpions came to play against Los Altos. And though she felt her team could have scored more then three runs, she was encouraged by its ability to capitalize on mistakes.

``We took advantage of some errors and wild pitches, and that's what you have to do,'' Victoria said.

The Scorpions started Melanie Richardson, who responded by tossing a one-hit, eight-strikeout gem. Victoria is leaning toward starting ace Cindy Ball today.

``I thought we played well and we were able to get the nervousness and jitters out early,'' Victoria said. ``I think we'll be pretty pumped up to play (Rio Mesa).''

Much like Victoria, Newbury Park coach Mike Morgan felt his team could have pushed more runs against Dos Pueblos. The encouraging sign, though, was the fact that the Panthers once again were solid defensively.

``We had chances, and we got runners on base,'' Morgan said. ``That was a good sign. We scored just enough runs to win, and we played great defensively. That's how we've played all year.''

The Panthers also got solid pitching from starter Kristi Fox, who yielded just three hits while striking out 10.

The good pitching, solid defense combination is one that Morgan considers a key to Newbury Park's continued success.

``If we can keep that up, it gives us a real good chance to go a long way.''

Thousand Oaks got a top performance from pitcher Jennifer Sharron against San Marcos. The junior gave up just three hits and had nine strikeouts.

Moorpark pitcher Erin Heinbechner tossed a two-hitter against Immaculate Heart, while Calabasas starter Kelli Sargent did the same against La Salle.

Oak Park, meanwhile, rode a six-run first inning to crush Whitney. Pitcher Kaylene Boldroff allowed just two hits.