Carlsbad, LCC Fighting for Avocado West Softball Title

Carlsbad High and La Costa Canyon are in a battle for both city bragging rights and the Avocado West League softball championship, and it likely will come down to a head-to-head matchup that caps the regular season.

LCC (12-8, 5-1) visits Carlsbad (21-6, 6-0) for a 3 p.m. game Thursday (May 12) that should decide whether the Lancers go unbeaten in league play or will have to share the crown with the Mavericks. Carlsbad won the first meeting 4-1 on April 26.

Carlsbad used the long ball to down Rancho Buena Vista 8-2 on Thursday. Jacque Batchelder hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs, while Emily Schneider, Tori Nirschl and Erika Piancastelli also had round-trippers. Katie Wilkinson went five innings to earn the win, improving her record to 10-3.

La Costa Canyon used a four-run first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by Kaitlin Connors, to down El Camino 5-1. Annie McGregor and Brittany Filips chipped in two hits apiece and Bailey Conner went the distance, hurling a four-hitter.

The Mavericks visit RBV on Monday and Carlsbad plays at El Camino on Tuesday before their showdown later in the week.

San Dieguito Academy in Line for a Valley League Softball Title

With an 8-3 victory over Del Norte on Thursday, the San Dieguito Academy softball team took over first place in the Valley League and can clinch the title with wins in its final two games.

Tonia Wu went 3-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs, Riley Wright had three hits, scored three times and drove in a pair, and Marissa Sacco added two hits and scored twice as San Dieguito used a five-run sixth inning to break open what had been a close 3-2 game.

Del Norte (12-9, 5-2) has lost two straight after opening league play 5-0 and has one game left against Canyon Crest. San Dieguito (11-14, 5-1) visits Valley Center Tuesday and Canyon Crest Thursday in its bid to take the title.