The Preps : SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : 4-A Softball : Western Bats Getting Hot Just in Time

Western High School softball Coach Debbie Harless knew her defense would be tough this season. Her entire starting infield returned, including sisters Ivy at shortstop and Misty Pinkerton at third.

The problem was hitting. “We have the potential to be really good hitters, but we aren’t hitting. That’s the bottom line,” Harless said earlier this season.

Western (24-5) finally has hit its stride. The Pioneers had 17 hits Wednesday in a second-round Southern Section 4-A victory over Rubidoux. Today they host top-seeded Hart (25-1) in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m.

“I think we are peaking,” Harless said. ‘We are playing together. Our hitting in the last half of the season has started coming on.”

The Pioneers are led by Lisa Sciarrino (.433, three homers, five triples, five doubles) and Tania Siek, who hit .452 through league play. Pitcher Dawn Fowler is 12-4 with a 0.27 earned-run average.

In other quarterfinal games, Sunny Hills (20-6) is at Kennedy (20-4), Garden Grove (20-6) travels to third-seeded Diamond Bar (22-2) and Brea-Olinda (18-6) travels to second-seeded Buena (25-2).