Here are the capsules for the area teams playing in tonight’s region quarterfinals. The winners advance to the region semifinals on Tuesday.
Class 7A
For MaxPreps bracket click here.
Region 2
No. 8 Newsome (16-8) at No. 1 Plant (23-4), 7
This is the second meeting between the teams this season. The host Panthers won the first matchup last month, thanks to scoring seven runs in the sixth inning to break open what was a close game. Plant enters on a 15-game win streak, currently the longest in the area. The Wolves have won three straight games and allowed just one run during that stretch.
No. 5 Lakewood Ranch (16-10) at No. 4 Steinbrenner (18-7-1), 7
The two-time defending state champion Mustangs have lost four of their last six games but are still dangerous. Though the Warriors have lost two of their last three games, they are ready after playing a challenging regular season schedule.
Class 6A
For MaxPreps bracket click here.
Region 2
No. 8 Mitchell (14-13) at No. 1 East Lake (22-4), 7
This is the fourth meeting between the district rivals this season. The host Eagles won two of the previous matchups, including a 3-0 victory last week for the 6A-5 title. For the Mustangs to have a shot, they need to generate some offense. They were shut out in both losses to East Lake this season.
No. 5 Land O’ Lakes (16-11) at No. 4 Punta Gorda Charlotte (19-8), 7
The Gators, who are used to making deep playoff runs, had their four-game win streak snapped with a loss to Sickles in 10 innings in the 6A-5 district semifinals. The host Tarpons have won three of their last four games, the lone loss in that stretch coming by a run to Fort Myers Evangelical Christian, the top-ranked team in Class 2A.
No. 2 Sickles (16-11) at No. 7 Gaither (19-3), 7
The Gryphons have lost four of their last six games, though each of those matchups came against a team that made the playoffs. The host Cowboys, meanwhile, have won eight straight games with only one of those victories coming against a playoff team.
No. 6 Wiregrass Ranch (15-7) at No. 3 Bloomingdale (16-7), 7
The Bulls had their four-game win streak snapped with a loss to Gaither in last week’s 6A-6 district title game. The host Bulls, ranked ninth in the class by MaxPreps, have four straight games, allowing just two runs during that streak.
Class 5A
For MaxPreps bracket click here.
Region 2
No, 5 Horizon (14-9) at No. 4 Osceola (16-8), 7
The 5A-8 district champion Warriors have won their past three games by a combined 23-2. The Hawks are trying to rebound after losing two of their last three games. Both losses were by 1-0 scores.
No. 2 Wesley Chapel (18-5) at No. 7 Pasco (10-8), 7
The teams split their first two meetings with the Pirates winning the first one and the Wildcats taking the second. Pasco, the 5A-5 district champion, has won three straight games. The Wildcats had their 11-game win streak snapped with a loss to River Ridge in last week’s 5A-7 district title game.
No. 6 Seminole (12-5) at No. 3 River Ridge (17-8), 7
The Warhawks are looking to bounce back after losing to Countryside 8-4 in nine innings in last week’s 5A-8 district semifinals. The host Royal Knights, ranked eight in the class by MaxPreps, have won six straight games.
Region 3
No. 8 St. Petersburg (17-7) at No. 1 Parrish Community (19-3), 7
After winning their first district title since 1998, the Green Devils have a tough task going on the road to face the Bulls, the top-ranked team in the region.
