Douglas County teams look to punch ticket to baseball/softball title games

There are four Douglas County teams left in the baseball and softball OSAA state playoffs and they’re all one win away from reaching state title games this weekend.

The North Douglas/Elkton baseball team is the shocker of the group. The 12-seeded Warriors busted the Class 2A/1A bracket with a 1-0 upset win over 4-seed Regis in the quarterfinals last Friday. Now, North Douglas/Elkton will try to continue its Cinderella run with another road upset against the top-ranked Knappa Loggers on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

On the other side of the 2A/1A bracket, 2-seed Umpqua Valley Christian has been rolling through the postseason. The Monarchs are hosting 3-seed Blanchet Catholic at Champion Car Wash Field. First pitch is slated for Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

UVC was knocked out of the playoffs by Blanchet Catholic in the semifinals last year and lost to the Cavaliers earlier this season as well. The Monarchs will seek a little revenge and a berth in the state title game on Saturday.

The South Umpqua Lancers have been untouchable in the Class 3A softball state playoffs so far. The SU girls haven’t given up a run in the postseason. They’re hosting an equally as dominant Yamhill-Carlton club in the semis on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The winner moves on to the title game at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene on Friday.

The North Douglas softball team has also reached the semifinals of the 2A/1A playoffs. The Warriors square off with top-ranked Grant Union Tuesday at 4 p.m. in John Day.