Time is now to make a move into playoff contention
As the high school softball and baseball seasons move into the second half of the schedule, the push to secure one of three playoff positions each section has to offer begins in earnest.
Several teams are already in prime position for not only a playoff berth, but a section crown, as well.
The Southmoreland softball team sits atop Section 3-AAA with a 5-0 record with seven more section games to play, one game in the loss column ahead of Elizabeth-Forward.
Jefferson-Morgan (6-1), Frazier (6-1), Carmichaels (5-1) and West Greene (4-2) are all bunched at the top of Section 2-A. With 14 section games, all the teams have a lot of softball yet to be played.
Waynesburg Central (4-1) trails by one in the win column in Section 2-AA behind McGuffey (5-1).
Connellsville (2-3 in Section 1-AAAA), Belle Vernon (2-4, Section 3-AAA), Uniontown (3-2, Section 4-AAA), Brownsville (3-3, Section 4-AAA) and Beth-Center (3-2, Section 2-AA) are among the local teams actively in pursuit of a section playoff berth.
The Laurel Highlands baseball squad is all alone atop Section 2-AAA at 6-0. Four teams, including Uniontown (2-2), have two section losses with a total of 12 section games to be played.
Brownsville (5-1), Washington (5-1) and Chartiers-Houston (3-1) are setting the early pace in Section 2-AA, all with one loss fewer than Charleroi (3-2). The eight-team section plays 14 section games.
California (4-0), fresh off last week’s convincing win over Carmichaels (3-1), leads Section 1-A. Avella (3-1) shares second place in the small section with only 10 games to be played.
Frazier (2-1) trails Serra Catholic by one game in Section 2-A, another six-team section that plays just 10 games.
Connellsville (2-4 in Section 2-AAAA), Waynesburg Central (2-2, Section 3-AAA), Belle Vernon (2-2, Section 4-AAA), Beth-Center (1-3, Section 2-AA), Southmoreland (2-3, Section 4-AA), West Greene (1-3, Section 1-A) and Jefferson-Morgan (1-3, Section 1-A) remain in the hunt for a playoff berth, but will need strong second halves of the season to secure a spot.
Baseball section games must be completed by Tuesday, May 6, while softball closes on Monday, May 5.