PREP PLAYOFF PREVIEWS / SOFTBALL

Rematches are the order of the day in the biggest quarterfinal games, with third-seeded Foothill (30-2) getting another shot at Fountain Valley (24-8) and pitcher Natalie King in a Division I showdown.

King has beaten Foothill twice this season--the Knights’ only two losses--and she is coming off a 23-strikeout, 13-inning, two-hitter against Moreno Valley Canyon Springs. But King (21-7) is only as good as her offense--six of her seven losses have been 1-0. Foothill, more potent offensively, also counters with one of the best pitchers around, Courtney Fossatti (21-1), who has an ERA of 0.05.

Another rematch of note has top-seeded Rosary (23-8) playing at Chaminade (16-12) in Division IV. They met in last year’s semifinal, with Chaminade winning, 1-0, before going on to an easier 4-0 victory over Bloomington in the championship game. Despite its record, Chaminade has advanced in the playoffs with victories over two teams with a combined record of 34-9.

In Division II, there’s not a rematch but a reacquaintance. Top-seeded Cerritos (28-2), which is coached by Sue Garrison, will play host to Troy (21-7). Garrison coached Troy the last two seasons before taking a teaching position at Cerritos.

Tustin (15-11-1) has already raised eyebrows with two upsets in Division III, and today the host Tillers will try to add one more--top-seeded Hacienda Heights Wilson (25-2-1). Three-time defending champion Pacifica (22-8-1) plays its first playoff road game, against third-seeded Whittier La Serna (21-4).

Calvary Chapel (16-8) and Orange Lutheran (23-6-1), who were passed over as seeded teams in favor of No. 4 San Pedro Mary Star of the Sea (22-4) and No. 3 Cerritos Whitney (15-3), play those two schools, respectively, in Division V.

Liberty Christian (17-2), which knocked off No. 1 Capistrano Valley Christian in Division VI, plays at Boron (18-5), a finalist last year.