Taking a Look at 6A baseball playoffs–South State
The Mississippi High School Activities Association made a change this year allowing the top three teams from each division to advance to the state playoffs.
Teams that win their division will receive a first round bye. Each round will be contested in a 2 out of three game series.
Here is a look at how the South State may shake out.
Region 5 6A
1. Oak Grove–The Warriors have secured the top seed in the division.
2. Brandon–The Bulldogs hold a two game lead over Hattiesburg, making them the likely two seed from the division.
3. Hattiesburg–The Tigers currently find themselves in third place. They hold a two game lead over the Meridian Wildcats, so it seems unlikely they would miss the playoffs.
4. Meridian–The Wildcats need to win out and have help to make the playoffs.
PREDICTION: 1. Oak Grove, 2. Brandon, 3. Hattiesburg, 4. Meridian
Region 6 6A
1. Terry–The Bulldogs have the edge in this division. They have a 1/2 game lead over Natchez, but face the easier schedule.
2. Natchez–The other Bulldogs have clinched no worse than the number two seed. If they win out and get a little help, they could still claim the division.
3. Jim Hill–The Tigers hold a one game lead over Wingfield for the final playoff spot in the division.
4. Wingfield–The Falcons are yet to notch a victory in the division, but a win over Jim Hill could put them in the playoffs.
PREDICTION–1. Terry, 2. Natchez, 3. Jim Hill, 4. Wingfield
Region 7 6A
1. Biloxi–The Indians have a magic number of one to clinch this division. Their only losses in division came against George County.
2. Pascagoula–The Panthers once seemed like the team to beat in the division, but they were swept in their first series of games by Biloxi. The Panthers must sweep Biloxi this week to claim the one seed. Pascagoula can fall no further than second.
3. George County–The Rebels punched their ticket to the playoffs with a loss by Ocean Springs last night. The Rebels will finish as the three seed.
4. Ocean Springs–The Greyhounds only have one win in division and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
PREDICTION–1. Biloxi, 2. Pascagoula, 3. George County, 4. Ocean Springs
Region 8 6A
1. Gulfport–The Admirals have had a remarkable year, and they currently hold a one game lead over Harrison Central. The Admirals could clinch the division with a win this week against lowly Hancock.
2. Harrison Central–The Red Rebels hold onto the number two position, but their series against Petal will determine the final order in this division.
3. Petal–The Panthers have been plagued with injuries this season. They cannot climb to the number one spot because of their 1-3 record against Gulfport, but a sweep over Harrison Central gives them the two spot.
(Harrison Central and Petal split their first series by scores of 4-2, 2-0….so they are tied in run differential. The winner and scores will be huge in their series this weekend.)
4. Hancock–The Hawks have been eliminated from playoff contention.
PREDICTION–1. Gulfport, 2. Petal, 3. Harrison Central, 4. Hancock
How would the playoffs work?
Natchez and Harrison Central would meet in a three game series for the right to play Oak Grove.
Petal and Jim Hill would face off in a three game series for the right to play Biloxi.
Brandon and George County would meet up in three game series to see who would face Terry
Pascagoula and Hattiesburg would square off to determine the opponent for Gulfport in the second round.
Here is a how the brackets shake out.
Natchez/Harrison Central vs. Oak Grove winner vs. Petal/Jim Hill vs. Biloxi winner
Brandon/George County vs. Terry winner vs. Pascagoula/Hattiesburg vs. Gulfport winner.
Best First Round Series: George County vs. Brandon
Best Second Round Series: Petal vs. Biloxi (strong consideration for Pascagoula/Gulfport)
These are based on the scores and schedules listed in Maxpreps. If you notice any glaring errors, please let me know.