STRIKE ZONE

In this edition of The Strike Zone, staff writers Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux discuss the final week of regular season baseball and the second round of the softball playoffs.

What is the best baseball game on the schedule?

RA: DeQuincy at Vinton, today. The Vinton Lions have already locked up at least a share of their first district title since 2001, but can win it outright if they knock off archrival DeQuincy tonight. The Tigers reached the Class 2A quarterfinals last year, but lost their first game to the Lions 5-3.

WA: St. Louis at Kinder, Friday. The Saints had won 14 games in a row heading into Wednesday night’s game against Erath and are fractions of a point from a top-four seed in Division II, which would ensure them a home series in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Kinder is comfortable atop the 2A power ratings and owns a five-game winning streak. Both teams reached the state tournament last year and are tuning up for another long run. 

What is the most interesting second round softball playoff game?

RA: Crowley at South Beauregard. The Lady K’s are one game away from making the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state softball tournament for the first time since 2009. South Beauregard struggled some at the plate in its 3-1 opening round win over Eunice, a team that Crowley beat 18-0 the first week of the regular season.

WA: D’Arbonne Woods Charter at Rosepine. D’Arbonne Woods has scored at least nine runs 14 times, including its first round win earlier this week. Rosepine has accomplished the feat 12 times, so a slugfest could be in order.

Who is your player to watch?

RA: Barbe’s Kylie Bergeron. The Bucs’ leadoff hitter went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a double against Sulphur in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucs will need all the offense they can muster in the second round against No. 1 Ouachita Parish. The Bucs showed they can do it earlier this season, scoring more runs (9) than any school this season against the Lions, but will have to keep Ouachita from scoring 16 runs again.

WA: The Westlake trio of Summer Richard, Myka Lester and Kayla Kennedy, the 4-5-6 hitters in the lineup. The trio reached base nine times in 12 at-bats against Patterson in the first round, combining for six runs and three RBIs. Similar output will be needed if the Rams are to knock off defending champion North Vermilion.