As Region 1-5A gets ready for their final week of region play, final playoff seeding is still too close to call. Columbus and Northside are battling for first place, and number three Harris County is fighting their way toward the second place spot. It’s almost impossible to tell whom the last spot will go to. Harris County, LaGrange, or Hardaway could be out in the cold if they slip at all in these last few games, but things are so close that one right move could land them in second place.
The current standings are as follows:
- Northside, 12-3
- Columbus, 11-3
- Harris County, 8-5
- LaGrange, 7-6
- Hardaway, 7-6
- Shaw, 3-12
- Carver, 0-13.
Carver and Shaw are officially on the outside looking in; with a total of 18 region games, the best Carver could do is 5-13 and Shaw 6-12, which is pretty disappointing compared to all of the other teams who have won at least seven games.
Northside has clinched a playoff berth with a 12-3 record for the season. Their tiebreaker over Harris County could go either way; they could enter the playoffs with one more win or one more Harris County loss. They also have the chance to grab the Region 1-5A title if they come out on top over Columbus in their games on Thursday and Friday. Columbus is almost in the same spot as Northside—minus the tiebreakers. The future is in their hands, and while they haven’t officially clinched a playoff berth, it is almost certain that they will. The team has four games left; two against Northside and two against Hardaway. Winning two of those games would give them a top two finish; three games and they’ll earn another region championship.
Harris County is two games back in the loss column of Northside and Columbus. While the Tigers can’t possibly win the region championship, if they finish out strong they could earn a home-field advantage in the playoffs. It’s critical that they win their last few games, or they run the risk of missing the playoffs. The Tigers have one game against Hardaway and two games against LaGrange left in the season. Hardaway has two important games left, and winning them could end their tie with LaGrange. The Hawks must win at least one of those games in order to even have a chance at making the playoffs.
Only four teams will make the state playoffs set to start on April 29th. Right now, everyone is on pins and needles as they fight for the top spot. One move could bump any of these teams in or out the playoffs. These last few battles will be exciting to watch as each team leaves it all on the field.
Columbus Valley
Columbus, GA
Things Heat Up for Columbus Valley Baseball
Photo Courtesy of www.forestgroveyouthbaseball.com
By Njeri Mathis
