Softball districts heat up

By MELINDA ROBINSON - The Independent

May 19, 2008 11:56 pm

— Some may call it the luck of the draw. Some may call it the rematch of the century. Either way, the 2008 high school softball postseason rolls into full swing today, starting with one of the hottest rematches in the region.
Thanks to a blind draw among the four 63rd District teams, Greenup County, Lewis County, Raceland and Russell, the later two will go head to head in the opening game at 5 p.m.
It’s a rematch of last year’s opening round, when Raceland (currently 18-6) knocked off Russell (currently 22-8) for the first time in the program’s history. The Lady Rams went on to win their first-ever district title and wrapped up the season as the 16th Region runners-up for the second year in a row.
Not only was the win historic for Raceland. It was the first time the Lady Devils didn’t advance and contend for the 16th Region title, which went to first-time winner Rowan County. Russell has won seven of the last nine regional championships.
If nothing else, the rivalry between the girls’ athletic programs at these two schools, which are separated by a mere few miles, has only intensified over the past few years, thanks in part to the addition and growing success of softball and volleyball in the past decade or so. The fact that several of the girls are two- or three-sport athletes, competing against one another almost year-round, only magnifies the rivalry.
Greenup County (6-14) and Lewis County (9-9) will battle it out in the nightcap at Raceland, slated for 7 p.m. The winners of each contest advance to the championship game, scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m.
In the 64th District, Ashland (20-8) and Rose Hill (6-9) kick things off today at 5:30 p.m. at Ashland’s first-year field. Boyd County (18-15) and Fairview (9-12) contend in the nightcap at 7:30. Those winners advance to the championship, set for Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The 62nd District tournament got underway Monday at Morgan County. East Carter defeated Elliott County 11-0 while West Carter beat Morgan County. The cross-county foes will battle in the championship game at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The 57th District in the 15th Region is set for a major battle in the five-team, seeded district. The tournament got underway at Paintsville’s first-year field Monday as the host Lady Tigers defeated Sheldon Clark 12-2 in five innings. No. 4 Paintsville advances to meet No. 1 Lawrence County today at 3 p.m. in the semifinals. No. 2 Johnson Central takes on No. 3 Magoffin County following around 5:30 p.m. in the other semifinal matchup.