CBL champion Yucaipa joins REV and Beaumont in CIF softball playoffs

Before the CIF Southern Section switched to a power ranking system to determine the section’s strongest teams, league champions were usually rewarded with a home playoff game.

Which explains why Yucaipa High School, the Citrus Belt League softball champion, must travel for its Division 1 playoff opener Friday.

Yucaipa (21-6-1 overall, 10-0 CBL) will face JSerra Catholic High School of Orange County (20-8 overall, 5-4 Trinity League) at 3:15 p.m.

CBL runner-up Beaumont High (16-10 overall, 6-4 CBL) also hits the road Friday for a Division 3 opener at North Torrance.

North Torrance enters 19-9 overall and 5-5 in Bay League play. First pitch is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

Redlands East Valley, the third-place finisher in the CBL, earned a Division 4 home game.

REV (16-10-1 overall, 5-5 CBL) hosts Mira Costa High School (18-10 overall, 3-5 Pioneer League) at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

Other area playoff teams

Arrowhead Christian Academy, Loma Linda Academy and Redlands Adventist Academy also earned CIF softball playoff berths.

Arrowhead Christian Academy of Redlands will host Patriot High School of Jurupa Valley at 3:15 p.m. Friday in a Division 5 opener.

The Eagles enter 12-8 overall and 4-4 in Ambassador League play, finishing fourth in league standings. Patriot finished second in the River Valley League at 7-3 and enters 15-11 overall.

Loma Linda Academy (6-10 overall, 4-3 Tri-County Premier League) travels Thursday to face Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove.

Bolsa Grande finished 12-0 in the Orange League and enters the playoffs 18-5 overall. Game time is 3:15 p.m.

Redlands Adventist Academy (9-5 overall, 7-3 Tri-County Premier League) travels Thursday to Banning High School for a 3:15 p.m. Division 5 playoff game.

Banning enters 13-9 overall and 10-2 in Sun Valley League play as the league’s No. 2 qualifier.