CIF-SS softball rundown: Here's what you need to know heading into the semifinals

The CIF-Southern Section softball semifinals are here and three teams from the High Desert have punched tickets.

The semifinals are set for Saturday afternoon for most teams, but Excelsior’s matchup with Jurupa Valley has been moved to Friday. The Eagles host Jurupa Valley in the Division 8 semifinals, with first pitch set for 3:15 p.m.

The other two local teams, Hesperia Christian and Riverside Prep, will play Saturday afternoon.

If both Hesperia Christian and Excelsior are victorious the teams will meet in the Division 8 title game.

Here’s a brief look at all those three matchups.

More: Riverside Prep softball is heading to the CIF-SS Division 7 semifinals

Division 7 — Riverside Prep vs. Oxford Academy

• The Silver Knights are in the semifinals for the first time in program history as they host Oxford Academy, the No. 1 ranked team in the division.
• According to MaxPreps, Oxford Academy is ranked 395th in California, going 24-5 on the season with a run differential of 216. Riverside Prep (15-16-1) is ranked 578th in the state, and has scored 233 runs and allowed 241 runs in 32 games this season.
• Oxford Academy is on a five-game winning streak, while Riverside Prep has won three playoff games, since losing the season finale.
• In the playoff run, Riverside Prep began with an 8-5 victory over Bishop Conaty-Loretto followed by an 8-7 victory over Poly and an 18-5 win over Yucca Valley in the quarterfinals. Oxford Academy beat Notre Dame in the first round 19-4, Hawthorne MSA 17-1 and then beat AB Miller 11-4 in the quarterfinals.
• The winner will advance to the Division 6 title game, set for May 18, against Muir or Eastside, ranked No. 2 and 3, respectively.

Division 8 — Hesperia at Temecula Prep

• This is a battle of Patriots as both schools share the same mascot.
• First pitch is scheduled for noon, at Fieldview Park, in Winchester.
• Hesperia Christian (17-5) is the No. 1 seed in the division and is ranked No. 508 in California, according to MaxPreps. Temecula Prep checks in at No. 865 in the state and is the No. 5 ranked team in the division.
• Through 22 games, Hesperia Christian has scored 299 runs, while allowing 114 runs. Temecula Prep (16-12) has scored 222 runs and allowed 213 in 28 games this season.
• To reach the semifinals, in a 16-team bracket, Hesperia Christian beat St. Pius/St. Matthias 19-2 in the first round and beat Cornerstone Christian 17-8 earlier this week. Temecula Prep beat Cal Lutheran 9-2, and Orange 1-0 in the second round.
• The teams have three opponents in common this season. Hesperia Christian went 3-0 against Excelsior, California Lutheran and Cornerstone Christian. Temecula Prep is 4-3 against those three opponents, losing a double-header to Excelsior on March 16, sweeping three meetings with California Lutheran and splitting two games with Cornerstone Christian.
• Hesperia Christian has won seven games in a row, and 13 of the last 14. Temecula Prep is on a four-game winning streak.

More: Here's the rundown on each local baseball team competing in the CIF-SS playoffs

Division 8 — Excelsior vs. Jurupa Valley

• The Eagles have a tough matchup at home against the No. 2 ranked team in the division.
• Excelsior is ranked No. 6 in the division, according to the CIF-SS divisional poll. But according to MaxPreps, Excelsior (15-13) appears to be the favorite with a ranking of 660th in the state, while Jurupa Valley is at 680.
• On the season, Excelsior’s offense has scored 256 runs and has allowed 248 through 28 games. Jurupa Valley has allowed 152 runs while scoring 270 through 30 games.
• Both teams have a victory over Fontana this season. Excelsior beat Fontana 14-7 on March 14, and two weeks later, Jurupa Valley won 8-5.
• To reach the semifinals, Excelsior has victories over Santa Ana, 15-3, and United Christian Academy, 7-6, earlier this week. Jurupa Valley began the playoffs with a 17-0 shutout against Compton Early College and then beat Archer School 18-7.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: CIF-SS softball rundown: Here's what you need to know heading into the semifinals