The past two weeks have been good to Southwest Louisiana, which has brought home five state championships in softball and track. Tonight, seven baseball teams will look to continue the hot streak in the baseball playoffs, with trips to the state tournament on the line.

Leading the way will be the area’s three Class 5A teams. Defending champion and top-seed Barbe (32-3) will host No. 16 Covington (26-6), No. 6 Sam Houston (24-9) will host No. 11 Comeaux (24-10) and No. 13 Sulphur (23-11) will play at No. 4 Ruston (30-5).

Barbe enters on a 10-game winning streak and beat Pineville 10-0 in the first round last week.

“I think we are playing great, we have been extremely consistent all year long,” said Bucs head coach Glenn Cecchini.

“Earlier in the year we were making more errors than usual. Over the last 15 games, our fielding percentage is .985. We are getting great pitching. We are playing well, but the kids know that in one game, anything can happen.

“Right now, it is a one game deal. They (Covington) have a good team. Their pitcher is really good. We respect them. They are solid, they pitch well, play good defense and hit the ball well. Our thing is to stay consistent, do what we do, play our game. Everything else will take care of itself.”

Sulphur (a 2-1 winner over Ponchatoula) and Sam Houston (a 2-0 winner over Slidell) advanced behind dominant pitching performances, with Tors starter Kale Breaux and Broncos hurler Collin Kober each throwing complete games.

Elsewhere, No. 9 St. Louis (24-11) will play at top-seed St. Thomas More (27-4) and No. 7 DeRidder (28-7) will visit No. 2 seed Lutcher (26-4) in 4A, No. 5 Iowa (21-10) will look for a return to Sulphur by hosting No. 4 Parkview Baptist (17-17) in a 3A game and No. 15 Kinder (21-11) will host No. 7 Loreauville (24-5) in a 2A game. The Yellow Jackets upset No. 2 seed John Curtis in the regional round last week.

Elizabeth has already qualified for the Class C state tournament.

Sulphur will host the tournaments for Classes 3A, 4A, B and C.

Today’s Games

Class 5A

Sulphur at Ruston, 5 p.m.

Comeaux at Sam Houston, 5:30 p.m.

Covington at Barbe, 6 p.m.

Class 4A

St. Louis at St. Thomas More, 5 p.m.

DeRidder at Lutcher, 4 p.m.

Class 3A

Parkview Baptist at Iowa, 5 p.m.

Class 2A

Loreauville at Kinder, 5:30 p.m.

(mgnonline.com)