SOFTBALL: Four Seasons Mechanical Top 10 for 5/4/18

#10.
HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS
11-3

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LAST WEEK: NR

The Lady Wildcats make it in by virtue of their 11-0 GSSC record, where they’ve put up 126 runs, mostly against the have nots. The problem is they’re 0-3 against everyone else and in two games with ranked opponents, the Lady Cats have been outscored 24-1. Highland, KV and Hobart – all from the NCC and two of which are ranked – come next. Then back to backs with Griffith to decide which ladies get to wear the conference crown.

#9.
LOWELL RED DEVILS
9-4-1

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LAST WEEK: #6

Why did we put Lowell at #9? Well the Devils made us do it of course. Had they held on against Highland, perhaps they’re at #7 instead of the Trojans. But they didn’t so here they are. Games with Hobart, Wheeler and Crown Point are yet to be played. Then the big one vs Lake Central to open the tournament.

#8.
BOONE GROVE WOLVES
7-3

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LAST WEEK: #9

It’s seemingly been feast or famine for the Lady Wolves for the last few weeks, averaging over 12 runs per games during their three victories but only three runs per game during their three losses. With only a few weeks remaining before the post-season begins, Boone Grove needs to find a way to be more consistent or the tournament run might not be as deep as they hoped.

#7.

HIGHLAND TROJANS
10-6

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LAST WEEK: #7

The Trojans in blue had won five in a row but only the Lowell one was against a quality opponent, well maybe Griffith. Then KV came to town and ended the five game streak with a 5-0 shutout. Good thing for Highland the Kougars have moved up to 4A. Now they’ll close out the season by playing five ranked teams in their last nine games, plus games with Valpo and Portage – a tough stretch to say the least. Then comes the 3A sectional. One thing is certain, this group will be battle tested when the post-season starts.

#6.
LAPORTE SLICERS
13-5

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LAST WEEK: #6

Up and down. In and out. That’s been the story of the Slicers in the poll this season. But the bottom line is this team hasn’t lost to anyone that’s not in the Duneland. 6-5 in the conference, 7-0 against everybody else. Only a few DAC games are left and they’re big ones, including Crown Point and Lake Central next week.

#5.

MUNSTER MUSTANGS
10-4-1

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LAST WEEK: #3

The Lady Stangs did a little give and take last week. First was a 13-0 victory over Illiana Christian, then came a 13-0 loss to KV. Which is the real Munster team? They better hope it’s the former and not the latter, as they drew the Kougars in game one of the state tournament. Before they start thinking about that however, they’ll need to focus on the tasks at hand, as their opponents next week have combined for more than 70 wins so far this season.

#4.
CHESTERTON TROJANS
12-4

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LAST WEEK: #4

The four Trojan losses, all at the hands of either LC or CP, keep them from a shot at the DAC title but there are bigger fish to fry, as in winning their sectional. If they do that, an opportunity to avenge those four losses may come their way. But before they can get to that, games with Highland, LaPorte and Munster remain.

#3.
KV KOUGARS
13-2

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LAST WEEK: #5

What can be said about this team that hasn’t been already? With players like Emma Maple and Maddie Swart, the Lady Kougars can hold their own with the best 4A teams in the Region. What that’ll mean come tournament time remains to be seen, but this group is flat out good. The game with Crown Point on the 7th is a possible sectional championship preview. Imagine the size crowd at this game if it was played in prime time and at a more convenient location than Wheatfield. Oh wait, that’s still possible (in a couple weeks)!

#2.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
15-2

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LAST WEEK: #1

The ladies in red took one on the chin against the blue Indians this week and now look to bounce back. That won’t be easy though, the stretch ahead includes Hamilton Southeastern, Boone Grove, Kankakee Valley and LaPorte – in five days. three of the four are in the county hub but still, does it get any more brutal than that?

#1.
LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS
18-3

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LAST WEEK: #2

The Lady Indians evened the score against the Bulldogs so they bounce back in to the #1 spot in the poll. LaPorte could give them a game next week but other than that Jeff Sherman’s club should cruise through the next week to 10 days. Highland and KV are on the other side of those 10 days, with both of those looking like good games.