It was make it or break it day in the Pacific Coast League on Tuesday, highlighted by the showdown of the county’s No. 2 and 3 teams.

No. 2 Corona del Mar survived again, 10-8, over No. 3 University. The Sea Kings beat University on games in their first meeting.

In other PCL action, Beckman edged Laguna Hills, 10-8, to remain in third place in league and clinch their playoff spot.

CdM, because of sickness, mixed their lineup up, placing singles players Melissa Matsuoka and Hailey Hogan in doubles, though on separate teams. The moved paid off. Though University won 8 singles sets, the Sea Kings swept doubles and used Katelyn Nguyen’s lone victory in singles to prevail.

Last time it was Matsuoka rallying from a 2-5 deficit in singles to give CdM the victory, and another rally was needed this time. Nguyen trailed 1-4 before pulling out a 6-4 victory in a pivotal result. Matsuoka trailed in doubles, 5-6, before winning the final set in a tiebreaker.

The victory gave CdM its 11th straight league championship.

As for Beckman, Megan Heneghan lost just one game in sweeping, including a 6-1 victory over Jocelyn Lu. The Patriots won six doubles sets.

In Sunset League action, Newport Harbor defeated Esperanza, 10-8, to improve to 8-0 and clinch a playoff spot. The Sailors can win the league title outright with another victory over Los Alamitos this week. Newport Harbor ended the Griffins’ 19-year stranglehold on the league championship last year by taking the title. Samantha Stalder and Blake Bakklia each won two sets at singles.

In South Coast League play, Capistrano Valley upset second-place San Clemente, 10-8, to pull into third place in league. The Cougars (5-4) was 2-3 and in fourth place after the first round of league. The Cougars had lost to San Clemente and Tesoro 11-7 in the first meeting. However, the Cougars beat both teams in Round 2, 10-8. Capo Valley can clinch the final playoff spot with a victory against Mission Viejo on Thursday.

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