Those Darn Divisional Races

With almost two weeks left in the regular season, most of the divisional races and a higher spot in the District Playoffs are up for grabs. That is if winning your division is part of the seeding criteria, even though it's not out as of this article, I'm assuming it is. This article will be primarily about the baseball and softball division races and my thoughts on them. Some are pretty much decided but will still be discussed. So now, let's get to those darn divisional races.

BASEBALL

WVC Division 1
1 Crestwood 7-1
2 Valley West 6-3 1.5 GB
3 Pittston Area 6-4 2 GB
4 Coughlin 5-5 3 GB
5 Hazleton Area 4-6 4 GB

Thoughts: Crestwood despite not playing last week, did gain some ground in the divisional race. Crestwood has a game in hand on Valley West and two on Pittston Area. The game on Monday between Valley West and Crestwood looms big on both sides. If Crestwood takes it, the race isn't necessarily over but Valley West would need to win out and hope Crestwood loses a few times, especially their game in hand against Nanticoke. If Valley West wins, Crestwood still controls their own destiny but would need to win out to take the division without a one game playoff. I will say that every team is still alive for the division although need a lot of help. Coughlin is out three game but Crestwood has two games in hand on them and the same can be said about Hazleton Area. Though Hazleton Area could be eliminated on Monday if Crestwood beats Valley West. Pittston Area is two back but will need help and need to beat Valley West on Friday in order to have hope for the division.

WVC Division 2
1 Wyoming Area 5-5
2 Tunkhannock 5-5
3 Berwick 5-5
4 Dallas 4-6 1 GB

Thoughts: The crossovers really hit Division 2 hard. They each did take a win against a Division 1 opponent however. A three way tie for first and Dallas is only trailing by a game with a 4-6 record. They each will take on each other within the next week. Wyoming Area does have a makeup with Valley West but I would assume by the end of this week, the division might be decided. This division I admit is too close to call.

WVC Division 3
1 Meyers 8-3
2 Hanover Area 8-3
3 Holy Redeemer 8-4 0.5 GB
4 Lake-Lehman 7-4 1 GB
5 Wyoming Seminary 6-6 2.5 GB

Thoughts: Despite Meyers and Hanover Area being tied for first, Meyers took the upper hand as they beat the Hawkeyes twice but it is possible they can play a third time if they stay tie despite Meyers taking both games. However, Holy Redeemer is only trailing by a half game and have to take on Hanover Area on Tuesday. Meyers takes on MMI, Wyoming Seminary and Northwest to end the regular season. Hanover Area takes on GAR on one makeup game and then their regularly scheduled game. Lake-Lehman would require a bit of help to get the division as would Wyoming Seminary. 

LL Division 1
1 West Scranton 5-4
2 Delaware Valley 4-5 1 GB
3 Scranton 3-6 2 GB

Thoughts: Could be an interesting race as Delaware Valley and Scranton take on each other in a three game set. West Scranton takes on North Pocono and Scranton Prep. This division could be the toughest to determine all things considered especially if one or the other sweeps.

LL Division 2
1 Wallenpaupack 7-1
2 Abington Heights 4-3 1.5 GB
3 North Pocono 5-4 2.5 GB

Thoughts: So much unbalance in the schedule. Despite that, Wallenpaupack plays a three game set with Abington Heights which could turn the tide for the division. North Pocono still has a makeup game with Abington Heights but wont happen til the end of the season.

LL Division 3
1 Scranton Prep 5-4
2 Valley View 4-4 0.5 GB

Thoughts: Valley View has a three game set with Honesdale whereas Scranton Prep plays West Scranton and North Pocono. The tide can definitely turn for the Cougars of Valley View.

LL Division 4
1 Lakeland 9-0
2 Dunmore 7-3 2.5 GB
3 Mid Valley 7-3 2.5 GB
4 Riverside 5-5 4.5 GB
5 Old Forge 5-5 4.5 GB

Thoughts: It looks like Lakeland is in complete control of Division 3 but there is still 5 games left for Lakeland and anything can happen but for now, Lakeland controls it's own destiny.

LL Division 5
1 Blue Ridge 6-1
2 Forest City 6-2 0.5 GB
3 Elk Lake 6-3 1 GB
4 Lackawanna Trail 3-5 3.5 GB
5 Montrose 3-5 3.5 GB
6 Susquehanna 2-4 3.5 GB

Thoughts: Looking like three teams could go for the Division 5 title. Blue Ridge is in the lead and have a game in hand on Forest City and two games on Elk Lake. Forest City and Blue Ridge battle each other on Thursday with first place on the line.

SOFTBALL

WVC Division 1
1 Hazleton Area 8-1
2 Pittston Area 5-4 3 GB
3 Valley West 4-5 4 GB

Thoughts: The division is basically the Lady Cougars' to lose and they could clinch the division on Monday with a win over Pittston Area. With the exception of the Nanticoke game, the Cougars have dominated their opponents.

WVC Division 2
1 Nanticoke 9-0
2 Tunkhannock 6-3 3 GB
3 Dallas 4-4 4.5 GB

Thoughts: With the Trojanettes dominating throughout the season, they could be very well be on their way to an undefeated regular season and the top seed in the District 2 4A Playoffs. They have to get through Dallas twice, Crestwood and Wyoming Area. Basically, one would think the division is an afterthought and the goal would be perfection.

WVC Division 3
1 Holy Redeemer 8-0
2 Wyoming Seminary 7-3
3 Northwest 6-4
4 Hanover Area 5-4
5 Lake-Lehman 5-4
6 Meyers 5-5

Thoughts: This is probably the most obvious division winner, despite having several teams above .500, the two-time defending state champion Lady Royals just keep dominating their opponents in Division 3 and look like the favorite to be the top seed in the District 2 3A Playoffs

LL Division 1
1 Abington Heights 8-2
2 Valley View 7-2 0.5 GB
3 West Scranton 5-4 1.5 GB
4 Scranton Prep 5-5 3 GB

Thoughts: Valley View knocked off Abington Heights twice this season, but are currently a half game back of Division 1 due to a makeup game still having to be made up. These two teams could definitely play a third time for a division title.

LL Division 2
1 Delaware Valley 7-3
2 Wallenpaupack 6-4 1 GB
3 North Pocono 6-4 1 GB

Thoughts: This could go down as one of the more fun divisional races as two teams are a game back of Delaware Valley. Delaware Valley hosts Wallenpaupack and if North Pocono beats Scranton Prep, there could be a three way tie for first.

LL Division 3
1 Holy Cross 8-1
2 Mid Valley 7-1 0.5 GB
3 Riverside 4-4 3 GB
4 Lakeland 4-4 3 GB
5 Old Forge 4-5 3.5 GB

Thoughts: Holy Cross and Mid Valley are definitely the contenders for Division 3. With Mid Valley having a game in hand on Holy Cross, there could be a one game playoff for the division and both have played each other twice.

LL Division 4
1 Elk Lake 8-1
2 Montrose 6-1 1 GB
3 Lackawanna Trail 5-1 1.5 GB
4 Forest City 3-4

Thoughts: I honestly found this one as the most interesting division, with the teams chasing Elk Lake basically having games in hand on them. Montrose has two games in hand on them and Lackawanna Trail has three in hand. All those games in hand could be a factor.