Time to think prep baseball post-season
League championships will be determined this week in Greater Spokane League and Great Northern League baseball. University (17-1), which is assured a title tie and was ranked No. 1 in the Washington State baseball poll this week, hosts Mead (15-3) tomorrow with a chance to lock up another undisputed title at home. U-Hi's high ranking is flattering, but is probably unrealistic given the GSL's baseball history. Still, being league champs and a regional participant is an accomplishment enough.
Cheney (11-1) leads Clarkston (10-2) and Pullman (9-3) in the GNL race and hosts the Greyhounds Friday in a doubleheader to determine the titlists. For more on the Blackhawks, check out my weekly prep notebook.
Lakeside already has the Northeast A League title secured, Colfax (14-0 and two games ahead of St. George's) and Almira/Coulee-Hartline (10-4 with a four-game lead) top their respective Bi-County 2B and 1B Leagues. St. George's (14-2) and Republic (13-3) are waging a Panorama 2B battle, while Curlew (11-5) leads 1B by three games. Playoffs for all begin next week.
Today is the first-place showdown between University (15-1) and Central Valley (14-2) softball teams. They have at least a four-game lead over Mead so are virtually assured the top two seeds to district and will meet again for a regional berth May15. Shadle Park (13-4) plays Mt. Spokane (9-8) today as well. They are currently the top two 3A seeds to regional.