Carson, Granada Hills to meet in softball quarterfinal

Carson (24-9) at Granada Hills (25-6)

Today at 2:30 p.m.

Why it matters: This City Section quarterfinal playoff game matches two teams familiar with each other. Over the last four years, fourth-seeded Granada Hills and fifth-seeded Carson have faced off in their opening games. Granada Hills took a 1-0 victory this season. The Highlanders have one of the top pitchers in the City in Rebecca Patton (24-5), who has 325 strikeouts and is bound for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Carson relies on two first-team all-Marine League players in sophomore pitcher Crystal Maas (15-7) and freshman catcher Brittany Moeai, who’s batting .458 with seven triples, two home runs and 37 RBIs. Last year, Carson lost to Granada Hills Kennedy, 5-4, in the quarterfinals, and Granada Hills lost in the semifinals to San Pedro, 2-0.

-- Melissa Rohlin