Wilcox takes on San Benito for the CCS Division I championship Saturday. (Matthew Maitz/Prep2Prep)

SEMIFINAL ROUND: 5-1 (.833)
PLAYOFF TOTAL: 25-8 (.758)

We got the matchup everybody wanted in Division II and some dramatics in Division I. The CCS softball season comes to a close Saturday with three outstanding matchups.

DIVISION I PREDICTIONS:

#1 SAN BENITO (0-0-0) vs. #3 WILCOX (0-0-0)
Both teams have a quick turnaround for Saturday's final after having played Thursday night. It will be particularly interesting to see how San Benito ace lefthander Adriana Ibarra responds after coming within one out of a perfect game - "settling" for a no-hitter - in the semifinal win over Los Altos. The Balers provided Ibarra plenty of run support in the 8-0 win, scoring three runs in the third and fourth innings to break the game open. Catcher Suzy Brookshire added a solo home run in the fifth to seal the scoring.

Meanwhile, Wilcox had to sweat out its win in the semifinals, overcoming an early deficit and holding on late to defeat Carlmont, 6-3. Senior Morgan Ratliff drove in four runs and Amanda Ramirez picked up the win for the Chargers, who had lost their previous six meetings against the Scots.

PREDICTION: San Benito 4, Wilcox 2

Holly Azevedo will look to cap a sensational season Friday when Pioneer takes on Mitty for the D-II title. (Matthew Maitz/Prep2Prep)

DIVISION II PREDICTIONS:

#1 PIONEER (0-0-0) vs. #2 ARCHBISHOP MITTY (0-0-0)
It's the matchup everyone has been waiting for, especially since the two teams met March 10 with Pioneer prevailing 2-1. Sophomore Holly Azevedo, who still boasts an ERA of 0.00 heading into the final, was not as dominant as usual against the Monarchs, striking out only three and allowing seven hits and a rare (unearned) run. Her opponent in the circle that day was senior Stephanie Kristo, who allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out five.

Mitty has taken to splitting the pitching duties between Kristo and fellow senior Desiree Severance and both have been extremely effective. Both teams also have punching power at the plate, led by seniors Danielle Bowers and Maddie Kim of Mitty and Alex Luna and Caitlyn Weisner of Pioneer. It will be a star-studded game that figures to live up to the expectations.

PREDICTION: Pioneer 2, Archbishop Mitty 1

Notre Dame-Salinas is looking for a CCS Division III title Saturday against Scotts Valley (Ryan Silapan/Prep2Prep)

DIVISION III PREDICTIONS:

#1 NOTRE DAME-SALINAS (0-0-0) vs. #3 SCOTTS VALLEY (0-0-0)
Offense has been the key for Scotts Valley during its run through the Division III playoffs. The Falcons have scored 19 runs in their two runs, including eight in an 8-6 win over stingy Santa Catalina in the semis. In that game, junior Marissa Bruno whacked a double and a triple, scored two runs and drove in two and junior Tatumn Satow also went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.

To keep the attack going, Scotts Valley will have to deal with freshman ace Vanessa Gonzalez, who has yet to concede a run in the playoffs. The Spirits needed a seventh-inning run to edge Notre Dame-Belmont, 1-0 and will turn to their 20-game winner to bring the title to Salinas as both MBL-Gabilan co-champs will look to cap their season with a CCS championship.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame-Salinas 3, Scotts Valley 1