Southern Section Baseball Semifinals : TODAY’S GAMES

DIVISION I

Mater Dei (24-3) vs. Fountain Valley (22-7), Blair Field, Long Beach, 7 p.m.

These teams have not played each other since Ron La Ruffa became coach at Fountain Valley 14 years ago. “Too bad it’s not the finals,” La Ruffa said. “We could probably put 20,000 in Anaheim Stadium.” Instead Fountain Valley must be satisfied with Blair Field, which the Barons consider their second home. The Barons will start Kameron Nielson (4-1) and hope he can quiet Mike Hessman (.410, 11 homers) and Ryan Blackmun (.434, nine homers). Bob Ickes counters with left-hander Mike Kolbach (10-0), who will try shut down such threats as Chris Fusillo (.412) and Kevin Burford (.397, 10 home runs).

Other game

La Puente Bishop Amat (20-5) vs. Los Angeles Loyola (22-7), Blair Field, Long Beach, 4 p.m.

DIVISION II

Tustin (19-9) vs. Canyon (25-3), Villa Park HS, 3:15 p.m.

Two of the season’s biggest overachievers square off. Tustin might start Heath Bell (9-2) even though Bell pitched three innings of relief Friday against Moreno Valley Canyon Springs. Rick Gonzalez (.413, four home runs) and Rudy Aguilera (.386, five home runs) lead the offense. Canyon will start Mike Tomarelli (7-0), and look to Jeff Leuenberger (.470) and Tomarelli for run support.

Other game

Riverside Arlington (25-4) vs. Upland, Chaffey College, 3:15 p.m.

DIVISION V

Calvary Chapel (21-5) vs. Pasadena La Salle, Citrus College, 3:15 p.m.

The defending champion Eagles are not invincible, but they have won 17 of their last 18 games. John Tucker (10-3) will start, and wouldn’t mind if Calvary Chapel hits as it did against Bishop Union, when it scored 17 runs in five innings. Joe De la Fuente had four hits, four runs scored and three RBIs, and Ryan Blood drove in five runs with three hits. La Salle, which takes batting practice with wooden bats, will start Jason Charvat (6-1, 0.62 ERA). Catcher Jon Sum (.442, 28 RBIs), shortstop Joe Hardy (.418, 28 RBIs) and Travis Ingrao (.406) key the offense.

Other game

Cerritos Valley Christian (20-7) vs. Lancaster Paraclete (14-9), Palmdale Highland HS, 3:15 p.m.

DIVISION VI

Riverside Woodcrest Christian (21-4) vs. Southern California Christian (20-6), Canyon HS, 3:15 p.m.

The Flames have won 19 of their last 20. Coach Jim Allen will wait until warmups to decide between starters Corey Roberts or Mark Caballero. Allen said the Royals play terrific defense and have pitching depth, but what concerns him most is Woodcrest’s hitting. “I don’t want to get into a slugfest with them,” Allen said. “I’d like a nice 5-4 game.”

Other game

Downey Calvary Chapel (19-4) vs. Temecula Linfield (19-7), Temecula Valley HS, 3:15 p.m.