Scrambled Seeds Abound

Upsets in District 5-6 tournaments left local coaches with mixed feelings about upcoming regional foes.

Spokane is the host city for both the 3A and 4A regional softball tournaments. The 3A starts today, the 4A on Friday.

Top two regular-season Mid-Valley finishers Hanford and West Valley-Yakima placed third and fourth in their 3A district.

That means Cheney, a surprise tournament entrant, faces Hanford right off the bat in a loser-out game.

“I know nothing about them,” said Blackhawks coach Kirk Madison of the 18-4 Falcons. “The way the format is, it would be nice to look at the team and know it was a legitimate third seed. But it doesn’t matter, you have to win or you’re done.”

Madison is simply happy to be there. Cheney, which beat West Valley for the first time ever in fastpitch this year, did so again last weekend to end a 14-year string of regional or state appearances for the Eagles.

In the 4A regional, one side of the bracket is loaded up after regular-season Big Nine champion Richland finished third at district.

Some coaches expressed relief they were on the other side. Others said it didn’t matter that they were on the strong side because it means an easier road back should they fall into the losers bracket.

When 2A and 1A teams split into two tournaments, it has meant a long layoff for Northeast A state qualifier Freeman.

Lakeside coach Paul Grubbs is excited to be playing this weekend when District 7 2A tournaments conclude.

His Eagles won their first Great Northern League championship and are eyeing state.

“We want to prove we’ve earned to be where we are,” he said.

Hard-hitting Pullman and their star pitcher Briana Young, and Medical Lake stand in the way.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Postseason softball Region IV 4A

Where, when: Franklin Park, Friday and Saturday.

Friday matchups: Richland (19-3) vs. Shadle Park (16-4) and Moses Lake (17-6) vs. Central Valley (14-9), both 6 p.m. Eisenhower (17-6) vs. Lewis and Clark (13-9) and Walla Walla (17-7) vs. University (18-4), both 8 p.m.

At stake: Four berths to State 4A tournament in Tacoma.

Fast facts: Greater Spokane League teams have earned 7 of 8 state berths the last two regionals. … Big Nine No. 1 Moses Lake was fourth during regular season. No. 3 Richland was champion.

Region IV 3A

Where, when: Sports World at Liberty Lake, today.

First-game matchups: Hanford vs. Cheney (8-12), 9:30 a.m.; loser out. West Valley (Yakima) vs. Eastmont, 9:30; loser out. District champions Colville and Selah play first-game winners at 11 a.m.

At stake: Two berths to State 3A tournament in Tacoma.

Fast facts: Colville is seeking its fifth straight state appearance. Cheney upset West Valley for regional berth… . Top two Mid-Valley finishers, Hanford and West Valley-Yakima, are third and fourth seeds.

District 7 2A/1A/B

At stake: Two berths each to State 2A and 1A tournaments in Wenatchee, 10 berths to State B tournament in Spokane

Fast facts: 2A tournament at Waterfront Park features Lakeside which went from one win a year ago to the Great Northern title this year… . Gone are Freeman and Kettle Falls to 1A. The Scotties have qualified. Kettle plays in Moses Lake this weekend for another berth… . Selkirk and Northwest Christian are B state-bound in District 7. Four other berths will be decided Saturday in Kettle Falls… . State runner-up Garfield-Palouse, is among the teams playing for four District 9 state spots Saturday in Kennewick.