BASEBALL
DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
A loss and you’re done for the season
Elimination play is here, so everything from home runs to errors will be magnified beginning the next three weekends. Hope for good weather on Saturday for Classes 5A, 4A and 3A, which are scheduled for 72 district playoff games involving 96 teams at 24 sites. The trick is to win twice (Who has a pitching staff?) and advance to the double-elimination rounds, the Championship Series that is as popular with schoolboy players as bat bags. The top seeds – the first eight in each will serve as hosts – are 5A Grandview, 4A Cherokee Trail and 3A Faith Christian. First-round games will be played at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., then the winners will meet at 3 p.m. As for 2A and the new 1A, in which the jury remains out concerning the need for a fifth class, two victories today through Saturday will mean a trip to regionals.
GIRLS TENNIS
REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
Down to two sets
Girls will have until Saturday to complete regional rounds for Nos. 1-3 singles and 1-4 doubles players. Classes 5A and 4A each have eight districts. The top two finishers in each singles and doubles spot will advance to the state tournament, 5A in Denver and 4A in Pueblo, on May 17-19, the first state championship (of seven) in spring.
LACROSSE
BOYS-GIRLS
Nothing lax here
Win or go home. By Saturday, boys will complete a preliminary round in the 32-team bracket, then winners are owed dates with eight other teams that earned byes in the first round. Two rounds will be completed by next week, setting up a final four (May 16) that will cap it all May 19 at Invesco Field at Mile High. For girls, 16 teams will complete their first round by Saturday on a march to a title match May 15 at the Stutler Bowl.
SOCCER
STRETCH RUN IS HERE
Final pitches
Play on the pitch has gotten that much more precious. Class 3A has until Saturday to settle regional playoff rounds. Winners will advance to matchups against the eight region champions from the regular season. In 5A and 4A, the regular season will end Friday, and the state organization will release seeded pairings for all three classes on Sunday.
TRACK & FIELD
REGULAR CIRCUIT ENDING
Time to meet
Save for a few league and postponed meets into the weekend, it’s just about all over before regional gatherings (Tuesday through May 12). On Saturday, Cañon City, Cheyenne Mountain, Grand Junction and Swink will celebrate the end of the regular season.
