Here are my predictions for the upcoming Sac-Joaquin Section Division I baseball and softball playoffs which begin May 22.
Baseball - Elk Grove (darkhorse - Pleasant Grove or Davis) The Herd has been untouchable this season. They've gone through the Delta Valley Conference undefeated for the first time ever... and they have five Section titles in the past eight years. Coach Jeff Carlson may have his best team of the whole lot this season. But, he's going to need all his pitchers after J.D. Davis to come through.
Franklin, Pleasant Grove, Jesuit and Davis will battle it out for north section runner-ups. Anyone of these five teams would beat whomever the south section sends to the championship playoff.
Softball - Pleasant Grove (darkhorses- Elk Grove, Sheldon, Lodi)
Ally Carda should lead the Lady Eagles to its second straight Section title. The only issue will be whether they will defeat Elk Grove who they didn't twice this season. This will be a great tournament that may come down to one error which makes the difference.
Shelby Wisdom will be tough for anyone to hit and should put the Lady Herd into the finals. The young Lady Huskies should go deep, too.
Lodi is the only other team I've heard outside of those three Elk Grove squads that have any chance at upsetting anyone.
The blog site of John Hull, longtime Elk Grove-area sports writer and columnist.
