An action-packed day awaits around Dade and Broward with the regional quarterfinals for baseball and the regional finals for softball.
The biggest game for baseball could be at Alex Rodriguez Park....I mean Mark Light Field where Florida Christian takes on Gulliver in front of an expected crowd of at least 2,000 people.
Should be a great pitching matchup between Radziewski and Rodriguez. This one is happening one round early after Chaminade upset Florida last week.
I'm gonna go on a limb and say Gulliver, a steadily improving team all season.
Here's the rest of the games with some bold predictions.
Region 3-6A
South Broward at Douglas, 3:45 -- Ashley Bulluck, the 6-8 pitcher for South Broward got the Bulldogs here with that huge win against Flanagan. He'll keep it close, but Douglas prevails.
Taravella at Cypress Bay, 7 -- Taravella
Region 4-6A
South Dade at Columbus, 4 -- Fred Burnside's Bucs are the Cinderellas of the playoffs. But no one has touched Gus DeQuesada in these playoffs. He gets Columbus to Friday and likely a fifth matchup with Ferguson.
Ferguson vs. Palmetto (Southridge), 7 -- Another very good pitching matchup as Ferguson likely throws Javy Barros against Casey Delgado of the Panthers. The Falcons' have a bit more of a potent lineup and look for them to break up the duel. Ferguson
Miami Springs vs. Goleman (St. Thomas U.), 7 -- Gators went to state last year and have been kind of lost in the shuffle this year. They still have a solid arm in Jerrald Mejia and some good hitters.
American vs. Hialeah (Alex Fernandez), 7 -- American has been scrappy team the whole season, but Hialeah has pulled out some close games to get to this point. Add another one as they get payback for last year's 1st round exit. Hialeah
Region 4-5A
Naples Gulf Coast at Nova, 7:30 -- The Titans have been picking up momentum of late with some big wins including the district victory against Aquinas. Look for them to set up a rematch.
St. Thomas Aquinas at Cape Coral Mariner, 7 -- Did I say rematch? I may have typed too soon. Mariner is 24-4 and on the road, and I think will be "google-ing" how to get to Nova on Friday. Mariner
Region 4-4A
Pembroke Pines Charter at Belen, 4 -- Belen keeps on winning after surviving its tough regular season schedule. The Wolverines seem to get stronger this time of year. I say they keep their season going for their departing coach Tony Meilan. Belen
Key West at Archbishop McCarthy, 7 -- The Conchs scored a huge win by knocking out Pace in the district semis. They were brought down to earth by Belen, and will be sent home by a more talented Mavericks squad. McCarthy
Region 4-3A
Florida Christian vs. Gulliver (Mark Light), 7 -- See intro, I took Gulliver
Tavernier Coral Shores at Chaminade, 4 -- The Lions will have a tough start to the playoffs from a solid Coral Shores squad. But they battle as it showed when they rallied in the final three innings to beat FC. Chaminade
Boca Raton St. Andrews at American Heritage, 7 -- The defending national champs haven't lost in a while. Don't expect them to in this round anyway. American Heritage
Coral Springs Charter at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 7 -- CSC is one of the top small school teams in Broward. They've been in the mix the whole season and look for them to earn another shot at Heritage. Coral Springs Charter
Region 4-2A
Dade Christian at Westminster Christian, 4 -- Westminster
Miami Christian at Miami Country Day, 7 -- Miami Christian
West Palm Beach Summit Christian at Highlands Christian, 7 -- Summit Christian
Calvary Christian at Delray American Heritage, 7 -- Delray Heritage
Region 4-1A
Sheridan Hills vs. Brito (Florida Memorial), 7 -- Brito
Champagnat at Westlake Prep (Seminole Rec. Center), 4 -- Westlake
SOFTBALL REGIONAL FINALS
Region 3-6A
Lake Worth Park Vista at Cooper City, 7 -- The Cowboys have played a brutal schedule that has set them up for this. Park Vista is 24-2 and they beat Palm Beach Gardens, but that wasn't your big sister's Palm Beach Gardens. Cooper City
Region 4-6A
Ferguson at Goleman, 4 -- Great job by Goleman and it's coaching staff this season. When does Ferguson leave for Plant City?
Region 4-4A
Pines Charter at Cocoa Space Coast, 7 -- Unless something special is waiting for them near Cape Canaveral, Pines and and star pitcher Lauren Sewell are headed back to state.
Region 4-3A
American Heritage at Gulliver, 4 -- It wouldn't be right if the softball playoffs didn't have a showdown between these two teams. They have met eight years in a row with Gulliver leading the series 5-3. The only way the Raiders win is if Sara Buchholz pitches lights out, maybe even into extra innings. But with her recent back injury, that's going to be tough. Either way Heritage's lineup is tough to slow down. American Heritage
Region 4-2A
Delray Beach American Heritage at Westminster Christian (Palmetto Bay), 7 -- The Warriors get their first tough opponent of the playoffs. Luckily for them, they beat some of Class 2A's best during the regular season. Westminster
Region 4-1A
Fort Lauderdale Christian at Lake Worth Christian, 4 -- Lake Worth advances.
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