2001 Hyundai California Community College Softball Southern Regional Pairings

The South's usual suspects return as hosts for next weekend's 2001 softball regional playoffs.

Long Beach and Palomar, last year's runners-up and state champion, join Orange Empire co-champs Fullerton and Santa Ana as the region's top four seeds, determined by conference representatives in Bakersfield, Friday evening. Each will host four-team, double-elimination pairings on Saturday and Sunday.

The four regional winners from the South and North will make up the state's Final Eight and advance to the 2001 Hyundai California Community College Softball Championships, May 11-13 in Fresno.

Here's a look at this year's 16-team South field:

SATURDAY, MAY 5

At Long Beach City College

#1 Long Beach City (South Coast 1, 36-2-1)
vs. #16 Grossmont (Pacific Coast 2, 20-11), 12 noon

#8 Canyons (Western State South 1, 26-11)
vs. #9 Riverside (Orange Empire 3 [t-3], 25-14-2), 2 p.m.

Winner of noon game vs. winner of 2 p.m. game play at 4 p.m.

At Palomar College, San Marcos

#2 Palomar (Pacific Coast 1, 32-7)
vs. #15 Victor Valley (Foothill 3, 31-12), 12 noon

#7 Pasadena City (South Coast 2, 25-16)
vs. #10 Antelope Valley (Foothill 2, 26-8-1), 2 p.m.

Winner of noon game vs. winner of 2 p.m. game play at 4 p.m.

At Fullerton College

#3 Fullerton (Orange Empire 1 [t-1], 32-9-1)
vs. #14 Allan Hancock (Western State North 3, 17-18), 12 noon

#6 Ventura (Western State North 11, 31-11)
vs. #11 Cypress (Orange Empire 4 [t-3], 29 15), 2 p.m.

Winner of noon game vs. winner of 2 p.m. game play at 4 p.m.

At Santa Ana College

#4 Santa Ana (Orange Empire 2 [t-1], 33-11)
vs. #13 Bakersfield (Western State South 2, 23-15-1), 12 noon

#5 Chaffey (Foothill 1, 26-7)
vs. #12 Cuesta (Western State North 2, 32-16),2 p.m.