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As the Rutherford County school year comes down the homestretch, so does is the end of regular season on the diamond.
East Rutherford (17-2, 12-1) softball continued to impress despite capturing the No.1 SMAC seed for the playoffs. Last week, Savannah Davis was untouchable as she threw a no-hitter against Draughn. Davis also led from the plate (3-for-4) and Emilie Dotson added a 2-for-3 day.
East Rutherford will face East Lincoln, Bandys or Bunker Hill in the first round of the playoffs. The Lady Cavs travel to Chase for a rivalry game this Friday (5/9).
Meanwhile, there is a four way battle for the remaining three playoff spots in 2A. Chase and R-S Central just need one win each and they are likely in the postseason. If East Burke loses both games this coming week, both teams are in as well.
East Rutherford baseball lost the SMAC No.1 seed momentarily, only to get it back by the end of the week. The Cavaliers lost to Draughn at home last Thursday, but took care of Crest on Friday night. Since Draughn lost to Burns last Friday, East Rutherford recaptured the No.1 seed with two games remaining. East Rutherford pitcher Cameron Hodge tossed was impressive by tossing a one-hitter last week, but earned a no decision against Draughn.
If Chase baseball can win once this week, it looks like first year Trojan Head Coach Tony Wall will take his alma mater into the playoffs as a four seed. R-S Central needs help from Chase, but if the Hilltoppers lose both games, then they are out. If both tie among conference records, then R-S Central would win the tiebreaker since the Hilltoppers won both head-to-head meetings. Chase or R-S Central will likely play at Bunker Hill in the first round of the playoffs depending on who grabs the fourth seed.
Thomas Jefferson’s chance of making the softball playoffs are very possible. At the moment, the Lady Gryphons (6-8) look as though they could find a wildcard spot and post the best season they have had in school history. On the baseball field, the Gryphons playoffs chances are slim right now, but they still might make it as a wildcard.
On the race track, Forest City’s own Means Motorsports had their best outing of the season so far with an 11th place finish at Talladega this past Saturday. Team owner and former driver Jimmy Means took his full-time Nationwide Series effort into Talladega and young driver, Joey Gase piloted the No.52 Donate Life Chevy. Gase, who has driven the Means Motorsports car all season long avoided two crashes and stayed among the top 20 for most of the event. In one of those crashes, Gase actually had to squeeze through the middle of two cars and drop below the banking all while fishtailing to avoid disaster. At the end, Gase was in the top ten, but finished about a foot behind Trevor Bayne for tenth at the finish line. He even led a lap on the afternoon.
