PREBLE COUNTY — As the final week of the high school softball regular season approaches league races are taking shape. While no county team will come away with a league championship at least one team will finish near the top of their respective league standings.
Eaton falls short against Carlisle, remains 2nd in SWBL
EATON — Eaton’s softball team’s bid to move to the top of the Southwestern Buckeye League West Division was thwarted last week by state-ranked Carlisle.
The Eagles suffered back-to-back losses to the Indians, falling 4-0 on Wednesday, April 27 at Carlisle, then suffering a 12-0, 5-inning defeat on Friday at home.
Eaton opened the week with a 7-3 win over visiting Madison on Tuesday, April 23 and closed the week with a 9-4 win over visiting Waynesville on Saturday.
The Eagles (10-8, 9-3 SWBL) were scheduled to wrap up league play at Bellbrook on Tuesday, May 3 then travel to Northmont on Thursday. Eaton will close out the home portion of its schedule hosting Tri-County North on Friday.
Eaton will open tournament play on Thursday, May 12, against Kettering Alter at home.
Blazers split pair
NEW PARIS — National Trail went 1-1 last week nearly missing an upset.
The Blazers held a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth against Ansonia, but the Tigers rallied for a run in the sixth and scored twice in the seventh to hand Trail a 4-3 loss. The game was played on Tuesday, April 26.
On Friday, Trail scored four times in the first en route to a 9-1 win over Newton.
Trail (6-6, 5-3 WOAC) was scheduled to play Versailles on Monday, May 2 and host Franklin-Monroe on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Blazers are scheduled to host Tri-County North and they will wrap up the week with a trip to Dixie on Friday.
The Blazers will open tournament play on Wednesday, May 11 at either Bethel or Anna.
Shawnee tops MV, falls to Newton
CAMDEN — Preble Shawnee collected its second win of the season and first in the WOAC with a 6-2 win over Mississinawa Valley on Wednesday, April 26. The Arrows scored four runs in the third to take the lead for good.
On Tuesday, the Arrows dropped a 22-1 game to Newton.
Shawnee (2-9, 1-6 WOAC) was scheduled to play Tri-Village on Tuesday. They will host Dixie on Thursday and end the week with a trip to Ponitz on Friday.
The Arrows will begin tournament play on Monday, May 9 with a trip to Waynesville.
North moves to 9-5
LEWISBURG — Tri-County North beat Mississinawa Valley 15-5 for its ninth win of the season.
The Panthers scored in each of the first four innings, including scoring five in the first to cruise to the win on Monday, April 25.
On Friday, North rallied late against Arcanum but came up short, falling 8-5.
North was scheduled to play Ansonia on Tuesday and will travel to National Trail on Wednesday. They will close out the week with a trip to Eaton on Friday.
The Panthers (9-5, 5-4 WOAC) will begin tournament play on Thursday, May 12 at home against either Fort Loramie or Catholic Central.
South ends week with win
WEST ALEXANDRIA — After dropping three straight game to begin the week, Twin Valley South ended the week on a positive note.
The Panthers cruised by Stivers 16-3 in 5-innings on Friday, April 29. South scored nine runs in the first and seven in the second to earn the win.
South opened the week with an 18-0 loss to Arcanum on Monday, April 25.
On Tuesday, South fel 6-4 to Dixie and on Wednesday, the Panthers suffered a 10-3 setback to Tri-Village.
South (4-8, 1-7 WOAC) was scheduled to play Bradford on Tuesday. They will host Franklin-Monroe on Thursday and Mississinawa Valley on Friday.
The Panthers will begin tournament play on Monday, May 9 at West Liberty-Salem.
