THREE LOCAL high school softball teams – Huntington Beach, Santiago and La Quinta – advanced to the CIF-SS semifinals with wins on Thursday (Shutterstock).

All three local teams in the CIF-SS softball playoffs passed quarter-“finals” on Thursday and advanced to the final four in their divisions to be played on Tuesday.

In Division 1, Huntington Beach (now 18-8) defeated Chino Hills 3-1. The Oilers (18-8) will play the winner of the Norco-Orange Lutheran game in a semifinal.

In Division 6, Santiago(26-1) defeated Garey 11-6. The Cavaliers will face Woodland Christian (17-5) a D-6 contest.

In Division 7, La Quinta(15-7) beat Rio Hondo Prep 9-0. The Aztecs will take on Western Christian (20-7).

The Oilers were led at bat by Jadelyn Allchin, who had three hits, two runs and an RBI. Reanna Rudd added two hits and a run batted in.  Grace Uribe pitched a complete game for the orange-and-black, giving five hits and one run. She struck out two batters and walked one.

In Santiago’s triumph, Aolani Sua went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs batted in. Darcy Castro slammed a three-run home run and scored three times. Pitcher Rena Rocha worked a complete game, giving up nine hits and six runs. She struck out six batters and walked two.

La Quinta had a fistful of stars in its rout of the Kares. Karla Guzman pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out five batters. She also had a hit and two RBIs.

Thalia Niang played a spectacular game in center field, robbing Rio Hondo Prep of at least three extra base hits. She walked, had a hit and an RBI and reached on an error.

Xochitl Esparza doubled, tripled and scored two runs. She also made what coach Jeff Nadeau called “a huge defensive play” at third base when the other team had the bases loaded in the top of the third.

Nicole Takao had two hits, a walk and scored two runs and played “spectacular defense” at second base.

The Aztecs are now in the semifinals after winning just one playoff game in over 30 years.