Published: May 13, 2008 12:19 am            

Regional softball title up for grabs

With the district softball tournaments fast approaching, it’s go big or go home time for area teams in the 16th Region.

Of course, only time will tell which team gets to make that long journey to Owensboro’s Jack C. Fischer Park for the State Tournament, but I can’t really even find a clear-cut favorite for the region crown.

So far, the region’s only 20-plus game winners are defending champ Rowan County with a 24-8 mark and Ashland (20-7) — although at least two others have a shot at reaching that mark. Of the Lady Vikings’ seven losses, only two have came against region competitors — one to Raceland on opening day and the other to Ashland in late April.

Much like Rowan County’s girls’ basketball team, this group of Lady Vikings also has a great shot at claiming the regional title for a second straight time. It’s no wonder with 16th Region basketball tournament Most Valuable Player Amber Riddle in the lineup. The junior has been on a hitting tear, blasting a state record-breaking home run a week ago. She hit the 31st of her career to stand alone atop the record books.

Raceland could close in on the 20-win mark by the end of the regular season under pitcher Paige Vanhoose, who tosses almost every inning for the Lady Rams.

The defending region runners-up are going to have to earn their spot in this year’s regional tournament. Host Raceland goes up against Russell, a region powerhouse, in the opening game of the 63rd District Tournament. It’ll definitely be a war when these two rivals collide.

Raceland has been the region runner-up for two straight years now. Russell has won seven of the last nine regional titles. But, after missing last year’s regional tournament thanks to a district exit courtesy of Raceland, I doubt these Lady Devils are willing to let that happen again.

Russell took a 4-0 win at Raceland in early April.

Ashland has lost only three games to regional opponents this season, taking Russell to the wire twice and falling to Raceland by a run. The Kittens won’t face Rowan County in the regular season but have swept their 64th District opponents and are poised to make a regional tournament run.

Defense is the key for the Kittens, backed by pitcher Katelyn Miller.

Boyd County has been a work in progress all season, according to coach Geoff Stewart. The Lady Lions have been right in the mix, but came up on the short end of the scoreboard against quality regional competition. But, as everyone knows, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Boyd County was within a run of Russell early in the year, then beat the Lady Devils 14-8. The Lady Lions were within three runs of Raceland and lost a pair to Rowan, by one in eight innings and by two in the doubleheader nightcap.

Boyd County recently notched a 13-5 win over Lawrence County, the 15th Region frontrunner.

Lewis County could be the sleeper in the tournament. At 8-8 on the season, the Lady Lions will be at an advantage with the top two teams in the 63rd District (Raceland and Russell) going head-to-head in the first round. Lewis County will take on Greenup County, with the winner advancing to the district championship game and the regional tournament.

Lewis County beat a good Boyd County team and also shocked Russell 4-1 in April to avenge a mercy-loss on opening day.

There’s also several upset-minded teams that appear to be up for a challenge and you just can’t rule out any underdogs right now. With eight teams advancing to the regional tournament, I feel the 16th Region crown could go to any one of them.

MELINDA ROBINSON can be reached at mrobinson@

dailyindependent.com.

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