I did a live blog from Esperanza High for Esperanza vs. Yorba Linda: The Neighborhood Scrap on Thursday in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs. Here’s how it all went down:

LIVE FROM ESPERANZA HIGH

I have the Mobile OCVarsity Press Row set up at Esperanza High for the first ever meeting between Yorba Linda and Esperanza and what better setting for this neighborhood scrap than the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 softball playoffs.

This is only the second year of varsity softball at Yorba Linda. Many players that would have played at Esperanza in the past play for Yorba Linda now that the school has opened. Most of the girls on both of these teams grew up playing for and against each other in rec ball and on travel ball teams over the years.

Yorba Linda tied for third place in the Empire League and brings a 16-8 record into this matchup. The Mustangs got their first playoff victory when they knocked off Agoura, 6-3, on Tuesday in a wild-card game.

Esperanza, ranked No. 9 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, won its second consecutive Century League title this season and brings a 10-game winning streak and a 22-6 record into the playoffs.

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