At this point in the spring we are left with three softball teams that will be playing in their respective district playoffs which start next week - Southern Columbia, Lourdes and North Schuylkill. All three played hard and earned it.
Speaking of the playoffs, let's switch gears for today and talk about baseball.
After a spring which had more sunny and 70 days than not and spoiled the schedulemakers a little bit, the last three weeks have been dotted with rain clouds. Untimely losses have also had a factor in what remains as the three most important days for three area hardball teams.
Shamokin, Line Mountain and Southern Columbia are still alive in their quests, but just barely.
The Indians are at 7-10 and have a game today at Lewisburg, Thursday at Mahanoy Area and Friday at home against Milton.
Shamokin lost to the Dragons 8-6 the first time through the schedule, have not played a 5-13 Mahanoy Area team yet this year and have not played Milton (12-4) either.
The Eagles are also 7-10 with a game at home against Midd-West today, at home against East Juniata Thursday and back at home Friday against Williams Valley.
Midd-West is well below .500. East Juniata won the first meeting between the Eagles and Tigers, 14-8, while Line Mountain beat Williams Valley 12-8 in early April.
The Tigers have a little bit more wiggle room as far as their record is concerned at 8-9. Southern's final three games are at Central Columbia today, at home against Bloomsburg Thursday and at Montgomery Friday.
Central Columbia has already qualified for the playoffs, but the Blue Jays have to finish their suspended game with Mount Carmel before starting one with the Tigers today. Bloomsburg is 12-4 and the rivalry between the Panthers and Tigers spills into every sport, and Montgomery is 15-2 after ending South Williamsport's perfect season last week.
All three schools have won three in a row at different points this season, but if any want a turn in the playoffs they'll surely have to earn it this week.