What a way to close the regular season.
Not only does Lutheran (Parker) have three games in the next 24 hours, it has three games against opponents currently ranked in The Denver Post/9News Class 2A poll.
The sixth-ranked Lions play a doubleheader at league foe and seventh-ranked Byers today (3 and 5 p.m.), then follow it at home Friday with No. 5 Front Range Christian at 9 a.m.
“We’ll be a little short on arms probably by tomorrow for sure,” Lutheran (Parker) coach Jason Block said. “So that I don’t necessarily like so much. But we might as well get used to it, because once we get to next week, it’ll all be tough from here.”
Sophomore Travis Smith is hitting .471 with two home runs and a team-high 16 RBI for the Lions. Block has rewarded him by batting Smith third of late.
“He’s come through in some big situations and always is a threat when he’s at the plate,” Block said.
Smith will likely remain in the three spot when the Lions (11-4) begin postseason play in earnest next week. The District 8 tournament is May 4-8, but things ramp up with today’s twin bill.
Byers has the edge for the top seed at 5-1 in league play, but Lutheran (Parker), which is currently third in District 8 at 4-2, could leap second-seeded Limon (6-2 in league) for the top seed with a sweep.
How?
Both Limon and Lutheran (Parker) would be tied for the District 8 lead at 6-2. CHSAA’s initial tie-breaker is head-to-head record, but the two teams split a doubleheader on Tuesday.
The tie-breaker then calls for a comparison against common league opponents, starting at the top. Should the Lions sweep today, Byers would drop to third place and become the first common opponent used in the tie breaker. Because Limon is 1-1 against Byers this season and Lutheran (Parker) would be 2-0, the Lions would earn the top overall seed.
Byers can claim the top seed with a sweep. A split would give Limon the No. 1 seed based on run differential in its games with Byers.
Block had a much easier way of putting it all.
“Today will pretty much determine where we are,” he said.
Other games
• 2A baseball: Michael Fast (.568, three home runs, 21 RBI) will try and help No. 4 Front Range Christian upset No. 1 Resurrection Christian and Lucas Carls (.600, four home runs, 37 RBI). 4 p.m., Friday.
• 3A baseball: Austin Reeves brings his sparkling 1.10 ERA and 8-0 record to Manitou Springs when No. 7 Florence faces the eighth-ranked Mustangs. 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Saturday.
• 3A soccer: Megan Abman (20 goals, 14 assists) leads eighth-ranked Colorado Academy against No. 5 Peak to Peak and super freshman Belle Morel (11 goals, two assists). 4 p.m., Friday.
• 3A soccer: Holy Family goalkeeper Emily Girtin has played 435 scoreless minutes this season. She’ll put her 8-0-0 record on the line when the sixth-ranked Tigers play at No. 4 Kent Denver and its own solid keeper, Hayley Kraus. 10 a.m., Saturday.
• Boys lacrosse: Nick Ossello (27 goals) leads No. 8 Wheat Ridge at Mullen and Jake (29 goals) and Erik Smith (22). 7 p.m., Friday.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983 or rcasey@denverpost.com.
