MIKE BROWN: Top area softball teams primed for postseason
The greater Mahoning Valley area is primed for an outstanding postseason run in softball.
Softball teams take to the tournament trail this week with sectional tournament games slated throughout the state.
The prowess of teams from the Youngstown area was certainly reflected in the postseason tourney drawings held recently.
Who look to be the contending Mahoning Valley softball teams?
In Division I, unbeaten Austintown Fitch, which reached the regional semifinal last season, received the No. 1 seed again and should be a strong state tournament challenger. The Falcons have a perfect blend of outstanding pitching combined with a powerful hitting lineup.
In Division II, once-beaten Canfield, is the second seed behind top-seeded Marlington. The Cardinals, like Fitch, are another team with an excellent chance to vie for a state berth.
In Division III, the area is loaded with outstanding teams poised for a long postseason run as well. No. 1 seed South Range and perennial power Warren Champion, the No. 2 seed, are outstanding again this spring and should make plenty of noise in the postseason. But don’t forget other powers in the division such as third-seeded Columbiana, fourth-seeded Brookfield, fifth-seeded Poland, which moved down to Division III this season and could be a force, and sixth-seeded Lakeview, which is also very strong.
In Division IV, unbeaten Western Reserve earned the top seed and is eyeing a long postseason run and second-seeded Southington Chalker and third-seeded McDonald are also very strong.
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