Sports Playoffs To Be Set This Week

Local high school teams will learn their paths to a potential state title this week, as the playoff brackets are announced for baseball, softball and lacrosse. 

The best teams will be vying for top seeds and first-round byes, with most teams likely playing in the MPSSAA Class 4A East region. 

Here's a look at how things might shake out.

LACROSSE (Bracket announced Monday)

The Arundel and South River boys should be in contention for a top seed. Arundel finished 13-1 and South River went 12-2 overall, but South River handed Arundel its only loss on the year. Don't be surprised if these teams meet in the regional finals. 

On the girls' side, South River will contend for a top seed after running to a perfect county record. Arundel (6-7), Meade (2-10) and Old Mill (3-11) will hope for favorable opening matches. 

BASEBALL (Bracket announced Wednesday)

The race for the top spot among county baseball teams has been a wild one, with anyone capable of beating anyone on a given day. Arundel and South River are in contention for the county title, a game back of North County. Arundel has won eight in a row and hosts Severna Park Monday, while South River takes on Annapolis. 

It's really anyone's guess how the state playoff bracket will look. Local teams will likely play in the Class 4A East region, but the playoff seedings could prove to be almost irrelevant, as there are as many as eight teams from the county talented enough to win it all. Non-county team North Point could also be a tough foe.

Arundel reached the state final as a No. 4 seed in 2012 and will look to take things one step further this year.

SOFTBALL (Bracket announced Tuesday)

Local teams are all bunched up, with South River (9-9), Arundel (7-9) and Old Mill (9-8) all vying for a favorable playoff matchup. Severna Park and Broadneck are among the top teams they'd like to avoid.