The 2018 MIAA softball state tournament pairings were announced Tuesday afternoon and a number of local teams learned who they’ll be clashing against next as they prepare for postseason runs.
In Division 1 North, four Northeastern Conference squads qualified for the tournament. It starts with Peabody, which claimed the No. 5 seed. The Tanners wrapped a terrific regular season with a 17-3 record, taking down Marblehead in their finale last week. Peabody earned a first-round bye and awaits the winner between No. 21 Latin School and No. 12 Lincoln-Sudbury in the quarter final.
Revere earned the No. 13 seed after a 13-7 regular season. The Patriots host No. 20 Beverly in a battle between NEC foes Friday (4). The Panthers are 11-9.
Lynn Classical went 12-8 during the regular season and drew the No. 15 seed of the bracket. The Rams host No. 18 Lexington Thursday (4) at Breed Middle School. The winner between Classical and Lexington visits No. 2 Acton-Boxboro in the quarter final.
In Division 2 North, four Northeastern Conference teams also qualified for the tournament. Leading the local pack are the Gloucester Fishermen, which finished their regular season with a 16-2 mark. Gloucester drew the No. 2 seed and a bye in the first round. The Fishermen will host the winner between No. 7 Dracut and No. 10 Wilmington in the quarter final. Marblehead went 16-2 during the regular season and earned the No. 4 seed of the bracket. The Magicians host No. 13 Melrose Friday (4).
“We don’t know much about Melrose,” Magicians coach Johnny Gold said, “but in the state tournament every team has an opportunity no matter where they’re seeded.”
Danvers is the No. 9 seed with a 14-6 record. The Falcons visit Arlington Catholic Thursday (4). Saugus qualified for the tournament with a late-season push to finish the regular season at 11-9. The Sachems, the No. 14 seed, travel to No. 3 Triton Friday (4).
“We know very little about Triton,” Saugus coach Steve Almquist said. “They’re 18-2. We knew we’d get a tough draw. In a sense, it’s tough where we don’t know anything about them. On the other hand, it helps because they don’t know anything about us. We’ll scrimmage Latin Academy Wednesday. The approach is the same. We’re working on our defense and getting a lot of hitting in.
“It’s going to be a tall task but I think the kids will be up for it,” Almquist added. “We’re happy to be in the tournament again. It’s our third straight year. We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing a No. 3 seed.”
In Division 3 North, St. Mary’s, Lynnfield and Winthrop will each compete for a state championship. The Spartans carry a young roster this spring and underwent their share of early-season struggles. St. Mary’s found its rhythm in time to grab crucial wins and finished the regular season at 12-8. The Spartans drew the No. 10 seed and visit No. 7 Lowell Catholic Friday (4) in a first round battle between Catholic Central League rivals.
Lynnfield, which also carries a young roster this year, went 10-8 during its regular season. The Pioneers earned the No. 14 seed and host No. 19 Manchester-Essex Thursday (4) in a preliminary round contest between Cape Ann League foes.
Winthrop is the No. 21 seed with a 5-14 record. The Vikings travel to No. 12 Watertown Friday (4) in the preliminary round of play.
