Softball playoffs roundup: Irvine dominates Granite Hills in semifinals

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Irvine’s offense proved itself again Saturday in the CIF-SS Division 6 softball semifinals.

Seniors Harper Vandermolen and Katie Liu, and sophomore Jocelyn Knerr, hit home runs as the host Vaqueros defeated Granite Hills 16-2 at Irvine High.

The top-seeded Vaqueros (15-16) entered the semifinal averaging 12.6 runs in the playoffs. Granite Hills (13-9) averaged 20.3 runs but were slowed by junior pitchers Midori De Los Santos and Carlee Lombardo.

Irvine collected 21 hits in advancing to the finals next week against Arroyo, which beat Hesperia 11-4 in the other semifinal.

De Los Santos had a team-high four hits.

Vandermolen homered in her third consecutive game.

In another semifinal Saturday:

In Division 8:

Arroyo Valley 18, Capistrano Valley Christian 8: The Eagles (8-14) fell to Arroyo Valley (10-14) at San Gorgonio High. The Hawks collected 18 hits to reach the final against San Bernardino next week in Irvine.

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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 9:32 PM.