Holtville gets free pass to softball championship

The Holtville Vikings softball team returns to the CIF San Diego Section Division championship game for the first time since 1998

HOLTVILLE, Calif. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - "It's not how we wanted to reach the championship game but we'll take it," Holtville Athletic Director CJ Johnston said. "I just got the news this morning from the CIF."

The news was that Holtville's next softball opponent, La Jolla, informed the CIF that they were not willing to travel to Holtville for Thursday's round four divisional match up.

"They said they were short on pitching," Johnston said. "One of their main pitchers wasn't going to be available and they didn't want to travel into the heat."

The last time Holtville played, it was against La Jolla last Friday in Holtville. The second seeded Vikings had no problems with La Jolla, the Division IV #3 seed, defeating them 13-1.

La Jolla fought their way through elimination, nipping San Dieguito Academy 7-4 on Tuesday night to set up the rematch. Holtville remains undefeated in divisional play and therefor, La Jolla would need to defeat them twice in consecutive days to reach Saturday's championship game.

The Vikings next opponent will be either Morse or Bayfront Charter. Bayfront Charter is the division's top seed. Morse must win two in a row to advance to the championship game.

It will be over a week since Holtville last played a game. The last time Holtville reached the championship game was in 1998. Saturday's championship will be played at Helix High School in San Diego. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

The winner will advance to the California Regional state playoffs.