The Sports Informant

The regular season is over. National and local rankings are put on the backburner as Sac-Joaquin Section teams get ready to step on the field this Saturday for the opening round of what is typically the most exciting day of the entire high school softball season. It’s playoff time, and May 16 is “Suicide Saturday.”

The most important day of the year is upcoming for local players, as they’ll step on the field for a season-ending tournament measuring all the hard work they’ve put forth–for some, the past four years.

The Sports Informant is watching, and he’s even got a few picks he thinks you should watch, too.

Division I

Suicide Saturday refers to the first round of the Division I playoffs, where all 16 playoff teams will battle on four fields at the Sacramento Softball Complex at the same time. Winners will advance and play again in Round 2 the same day, advancing to the quarterfinals with a win there or to the consolation bracket with a loss.

The Delta River League’s No. 1 seed Sheldon is the favorite to win the whole tournament, and faces off against Beyer of Modesto in the first round. It should be a piece of cake. The San Joaquin’s No. 1 seed Lodi will meet Turlock, the Monticello Empire League’s No. 1 seed Fairfield will meet Tokay and the Delta Valley Conference’s No. 1 seed Elk Grove will meet Johansen.

Other first round matchups include Pleasant Grove vs. Vacaville, Buhach Colony vs. Lincoln, St. Mary’s vs. Napa and Grace Davis vs. Franklin.

Predictions: I said on the SureWest Sports Show recently that the tournament should come down to Sheldon and Pleasant Grove. Neighborly rivals, with two of the better pitchers in the section in Sheldon’s Jolene Henderson and Pleasant Grove’s Ally Carda, they are on opposite ends of the bracket and could meet in the championship, if Elk Grove doesn’t spoil it.

Division II

The Division II bracket isn’t as intense. With half the teams (8) and only one game on Friday and a possibility of another one on Saturday, rival schools will get the time and energy they need to put forth their best effort. The games will also be played at the Sacramento Softball complex.

Oak Ridge is the Division II favorite coming in. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

The Sierra Valley Conference’s Oak Ridge High will take on Sierra Foothill League’s No. 3 Rocklin, with the winner meeting the winner of Metro League’s No. 1 Rosemont and SFL No. 2 Woodcreek. The SFL No. 1 Del Oro meets Metro’s No. 3 Sacramento and SVC No. 2 Ponderosa faces Metro’s No. 2 in McClatchy.

Predictions: Sadly, we won’t see the grudge match between league rivals and neighboring schools Oak Ridge and Ponderosa duke it out in the championship. While the defending champion Trojans should make a return visit,  my money’s on Del Oro, riding a 7-game winning streak, meeting them there.

Division III

Taking the late spots at the Sacramento Softball Complex will be the Division III tournament, which will consist of eight teams fighting for a championship. Capital Athletic League No. 1 Del Campo will face Vanden, while Woodland will face Benicia, Solano County’s No. 1 Rodriguez will face Bella Vista and Tri-County No. 1 Inderkum will face Casa Roble.

Predictions: Defending champ Woodland will sneak into the title game, but Del Campo, riding a 7-game winning streak should sail through the bracket and into the winner’s circle.

Check the Announcements page for updates on how the playoffs are going.