Where to be, What to see: May 2-7
One full regular-season week remains and yet the postseason picture is still so unsettled.
But would you have it any other way?
Didn't think so. Here come the biggest battles we've seen yet in 2016, an appetizer for the playoffs on the horizon.
Cheers.
Monday, May 2
Baseball
Elco at Lebanon, 4:15 p.m.
The packed mess that is Section Three ought to gain some clarity after what should be a soggy day at Coleman Memorial Park. Following some morning rain, the Cedars will welcome the Raiders, who sprinted to a six-run lead in their last meeting and later a 6-2 triumph on April 6.
More recently, Elco is coming off a 2-0, non-league shutout of Tulpehocken on Saturday and finds itself in a similar pitching conundrum as it did at the outset of the year. Including that win, the Raiders are slated to play their final eight games all within an 11-day span. Specific to Monday, they're likely to face Cedars hurler Michael Deleon or Cody Kissinger, who held them down a year ago over a 3-2 Lebanon win in Myerstown.
Boys lacrosse
Cedar Crest at Palmyra, 5:30 p.m.
There will be the obvious county pride on the line at In the Net, but beyond that is some charity, too. The Falcons and Cougars are again teaming this spring to help raise funds for the HEADstrong Foundation, which helps fight blood cancer. The foundation was started by suburban Philadelphia native Nick Colleluori. Colleluori played at Hofstra and passed away from large-B cell, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2006.
Come out and support your squad in addition to a good cause that extends beyond the game.
Tuesday, May 3
Baseball
Lebanon at Northern Lebanon, 7 p.m.
Rescheduled from last Friday night, this Section Three showdown at Wenger Field could very well determine whether or not the Vikings will lace up beyond next week. Northern Lebanon's bats have come alive lately, a missing component from its 3-2 loss at Lebanon roughly one month ago. The Vikings could carry a five-game win streak heading into Wenger Field, barring a home loss to Cocalico on Monday.
If the Cedars take this game following a win over Elco, they should not only better their chance at an L-L playoff bid, but boost their 24th spot in the district power rankings. The two ball clubs boasted the exact same run differential less than a week ago.
Girls lacrosse
CD East at Palmyra, 4:15 p.m.
Back-to-back division losses have set the Cougars back since they worked through an nine-day stretch with zero games. But their season's goal of attaining a .500 record or better by schedule's end remains within reach, especially if they can handle their business against the Panthers.
Cheyenne Sprecher and Paige Frye remain go-to options for Palmyra, as the team's only 20-goal scorers.
Wednesday, May 4
Baseball
Lebanon at Cocalico, 4:15 p.m.
We continue to follow the Cedars as they travel to meet the second-place Eagles. Last time they met, Deleon fired a no-hitter in a critical 1-0 win on a beautiful day that included a fundraiser for a cancer-stricken classmate.
Who takes this hill this time is anyone's guess, but there's no doubting most eyes in Section Three will gravitate to this final once all games are wrapped up Wednesday. There's guaranteed to be plenty at stake for all others included in contention.
Other key ball games on this day include Northern Lebanon at Manheim Central, Donegal at Elco and McCaskey at Cedar Crest.
Thursday, May 5
Boys lacrosse
Lower Dauphin at Palmyra, 5:30 p.m.
The third of the Cougars' four remaining games registers as their toughest remaining test, one that thankfully for the black and orange comes at home.
The Falcons currently stand at 7-7 and 2-2 within Mid-Penn Keystone, just behind Palmyra which is at 2-1 against division foes. However, the Cougars have yet to feast on the likes of CD East and Mechanicsburg, both of whom Lower Dauphin will have already met come Thursday. If Palmyra handles Lower Dauphin, second place in the Mid-Penn Keystone figures to be all theirs behind Hershey.
Friday, May 6
Baseball
Pequea Valley at Annville-Cleona
Akin to Wednesday, there are a bevy of games slated for Friday from which to pick as must-see. We highlight the Little Dutchmen here because a winning week against Section Four competition ought to guarantee them an L-L playoff spot.
Annville-Cleona opens at Lebanon Catholic and Lancaster Mennonite, then meets Columbia and Tulpehocken. The Little Dutchmen are 3-0 against that group (having yet to play non-league Tulpehocken), so there's a significant chance they secure a postseason bid before welcoming the Braves. However, if A-C stumbles, Friday's tilt could mean everything with a loaded Lancaster Catholic squad awaiting in its next contest.