Area Prep Schedule
TodayBASEBALLClass A sectionalsMeigs County at South Greene, 2 Division II state quarterfinalsSt. Benedict at McCallie, 2 (if necessary)Baylor at Christian Brothers (DH), 2:30SOFTBALLClass A sectionalsMarion County at Goodpasture, 5:30South Greene at Meigs County, 6Class AAA sectionalsStewarts Creek at Ooltewah, 6Soddy-Daisy at Siegel, 7:30Saturday, May 21 BASEBALLClass A sectionalsSilverdale Baptist at Goodpasture, 3Gordonsville at Boyd-Buchanan, 4Class AAA sectionalsStewarts Creek at Bradley Central, 6Rhea County at Siegel, 7SOFTBALLClass A sectionalsGordonsville at Silverdale Baptist, 5Class AA sectionalsRed Bank at DeKalb County, 5SOCCERDivision II state quarterfinalsBaylor at Christian Brothers, 1
Area high school baseball and softball teams' quests for state tournament berths have developed some wrinkles, but the wrinkles have nothing to do with the players or coaches.
It's spring and it's the postseason, so veteran coaches have come to expect contention with the weather. While only scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the region this morning, the odds rocket this afternoon and tonight, when the chance for rain is no less than 80 percent.
Two teams hoping to play TSSAA sectionals today are from Meigs County High School. The Tigers, seeking to match the winter feat of getting both the boys' and girls' basketball teams into the state tournament, are sending their baseball team to South Greene for a 2 p.m. game, while the softball team hopes to get in a 6 p.m. game vs. South Greene.
The Marion County, Ooltewah and Soddy-Daisy softball teams also hope to play today.
Looking ahead to Saturday, while rain is of primary concern at Boyd-Buchanan, the Buccaneers are hampered by a field without lights as well. It means the latest baseball coach Taylor Gilley would like to start his game is 4 p.m.
His field isn't known for draining well, and on top of that the school will hold graduation Saturday morning.
"There are obstacles to overcome, but the field has been draining so much better than it has previously and we actually have a tarp," Gilley said. "I'm proud of that purchase. It's something we have needed for a long time. We've only had it for three or four weeks, and it has already saved us two or three games."
The only other baseball game to be played locally Saturday has Bradley Central hosting Stewarts Creek in a AAA sectional. Other area baseball teams in Saturday sectionals - Rhea County and Silverdale Baptist - are on the road.
In Saturday softball sectionals, Silverdale Baptist is at home and Red Bank on the road.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him on Twitter @wardgossett.