Area softball teams learn tournament paths

Area softball teams learned their postseason paths over the weekend, with all local programs competing in Divisions III through VII receiving their tournament draws. Larger schools in Divisions I and II will be seeded this May 10.

As expected, defending Division III state champion Dover earned the No. 1 overall seed in the East District. The unbeaten Tornadoes (15-0) received a first-round bye and will open tournament play at home May 13 at 5 p.m. against either No. 7 New Philadelphia (8-13) or No. 11 Zanesville (0-17).

New Philadelphia and Zanesville will meet May 11 at 5 p.m. in New Philadelphia. If the Quakers advance, it would set up a third meeting this season with Dover, which won the first two matchups 12-2 and 9-0 April 8-9.

The winner advances to the East District I final May 21 at 6 p.m. in Athens against the winner from the adjacent bracket, which includes No. 2 Thornville Sheridan (16-6).

Division IV

Indian Valley (6-13) earned the No. 7 seed in the East 2 bracket and will play No. 6 Carrollton (9-11) May 12 at 5 p.m. at Carrollton. The winner advances to face either No. 4 Harrison Central (15-8) or No. 11 Morgan (7-13) May 18.

The opposite side of the bracket features No. 3 Byesville (15-6) vs. No. 13 Indian Creek (5-17), and No. 5 West Holmes (9-13) vs. No. 14 St. Clairsville (9-17). The district final is set for May 20 at a site to be determined. Top seeds Lisbon Beaver (19-3) and John Glenn (19-3) are in the East 1 bracket.

Division V

Tusky Valley (16-2) secured the No. 1 seed in the East 1 bracket. After a bye, the Trojans will host a district semifinal May 18 at 5 p.m. against either No. 8 Buckeye Local (13-7) or No. 12 Union Local (5-16), who play May 11.

Sandy Valley (15-8) is the No. 6 seed and will face No. 10 Coshocton (11-13) May 11 at 5 p.m. The winner will meet Barnesville (12-11) on May 18. Based on seeding, Tusky Valley and Sandy Valley could meet in the district final May 20.

The East 2 bracket includes No. 2 Martins Ferry (18-3), No. 3 Ridgewood (17-5), No. 4 Edison (14-7), No. 5 West Muskingum (14-6) and No. 7 Claymont (11-10), which opens May 11 at Edison.

Division VI

Garaway (16-4) earned the top seed in the 10-team East District and will host Hiland (5-13) May 11 at 5 p.m. The winner faces No. 8 Shenandoah (8-14) on May 13, with a district semifinal set for May 19. Possible opponents include No. 6 Newcomerstown (7-8) or No. 9 Buckeye Trail (4-15). The district final is May 21.

Division VII

Tuscarawas Central Catholic (1-18), seeded 10th, will play May 19 at 5 p.m. against either No. 2 Strasburg-Franklin (15-4) or No. 9 Malvern (3-18), with the higher seed hosting. The district final is May 21.

Top seeds in the East 2 bracket include Caldwell (13-2), Hannibal River (16-5) and Conotton Valley (13-7).

Records reflect standings at the time of seeding May 3, with seeds determined by MaxPreps RPI ratings.

Baseball tournament draws will be held this weekend.