By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

With the softball season in the River Parishes having ended, it is now time to focus on the playoff race in baseball. There is only one regular week left in the regular season. It looks like St. Charles Catholic, Riverside Academy, Lutcher, Hahnville, Destrehan and East St. John will be in the post season.

As of press time, St. Charles Catholic was scheduled to play E.D. White in a tie-breaker game at Lutcher. The Comets can finish no worse than second in 10-3A. SCC recently knocked off Northshore in a non-district game and Lutcher in a 10-3A game. St. Charles Catholic defeated Lutcher 9-4 last Thursday and Northshore 6-5. The Comets currently have an overall record of 20-6 and have only one loss (against E.D. White) in district.

Lutcher, meanwhile, struggled recently against Riverside in a non-district game. RA starter Jordan Remondet picked up the victory for the Rebels, improving his record to 8-1 on the season. Pitching is probably the biggest problem for Lutcher, who will finish in third place in 10-3A, heading into the playoffs. The Bulldogs have only one quality starter, Josh Troxclair, heading into the playoffs. Lutcher, who will likely have to play a bi-district game on the road, was scheduled to finish its regular season last Monday at Berwick.

The Riverside Academy Rebels have a couple of solid starters, Jordan Remondet and Jordan Poirrier, that may make it difficult for opposing teams in the playoffs. That, combined with the hitting of lead-off hitter Lee Haydel, make the Rebels a threat to go deep in this year’s playoffs in 2A.

Locally, District 6-5A will see three teams in the playoffs. It looks as if Destrehan, Hahnville and East St. John will be extending its season’s. Destrehan is currently in first place in 6-5A and have only one district game remaining (April 29 at Thibodaux). In addition, the Wildcats are scheduled to play 5A powerhouse Rummel this Saturday.

Along with being the number three ranked team in the nation, Destrehan is undefeated in district and is considered the team to beat in 5A.

The East St. John baseball team currently has a 9-6 district record and is in third place. Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing the Wildcats going into the playoffs is not something on the field, but off the field. ESJ will try to deal with the unfortunate death of pitcher Josh Sylvain, who was tragically murdered last weekend. On the field, East St. John has one district game left, tomorrow at South Lafourche.