SCHSL softball state championship matchiups rounding into form

      The five South Carolina High School League softball state championship series are set to begin at the first of next week. Each of the 10 spots could be wrapped up on Friday.

           The best-of-3 state championship series are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, May 24, in AAAAA, AAA, AA and Class A. The first games will be played at the upper state champions with Game 2s to be played at the lower state winners. If a third game is needed, it will be played at a neutral site.

The AAAA championship series is set to begin on Tuesday at the lower state chamlpion with Game 2 on Thursday at the upper state winner. A third game, if needed, is set for Saturday, May 25.

           Here’s a look at what’s going on in the five classifications.

           AAAAA

           Defending state champion Summerville and Lexington are in the driver’s seat. Summerville will play host to Berkeley at 5 p.m. on Friday in the championship round of the lower state tournament, while Lexington will play host to ??????

           Summerville beat St. James 4-0 and Chapin 7-0 to reach the championship round. Berkeley beat Chapin on Wednesday in an elimination game.

            In the upper state tournament, Clover plays host to Byrnes on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in an elimination game. The winner is secheduled to play at Lexington on Friday.

           Lexington beat Clover 6-1 and Byrnes 12-11 to reach the championship round.

           AAAA

           The best-of-3 lower state championship series has West Florence and South Florence facing off once again. The first game will be played on Thursday at 6 p.m. at defending state runner-up South Florence after rain caused the game to be postponed on Wednesday and Thursday at West Florence.

           The second game will be played on Friday at West beginning at 6. If a third game is needed, it will be played on Saturday at West at a time still to be determined.

           The upper state title series has just one team secured as of now, that being defending state champion Catawba Ridge. The Copperheads will go up against either North Augusta or York. Those two will play at York on Thursday at 6 p.m. to determine who advances.

           AAA

           Defending state champion Aynor is the last undefeated tam in the lower state tournament, while Belt9n-Honea Path is unbeaten in the upper state tournament.

           Aynor will play host to Dillon Friday. Aynor beat Dillon 4-0 in the first round and followed that with a 7-2 win over Loris. Dillon made it to the championship round by beating Loris 5-3 on Wednesday.

           BHP will play Palmetto in the championship round on Friday. BHP owns a 7-1 win over Palmetto and a 10-4 win over Crescent in the tournament. Palmetto got to the championship round with a 6-4 win over Crescent in an elimination game on Wednesday.

           AA

           Gray Collegiate Academy is undefeated in the upper state tournament, having beaten Strom Thurmond 11-1 and Saluda 12-1. The War Eagles will play host to Strom Thurmond in the championship round on Friday. The Rebels beat Saluda 5-1 on Wednesday.

           In the lower state tournament, Marion will play host to Buford on Thursday at 6 p.m. in a battle of unbeatens. The loser will play host to Oeanside Colegiate Academy on Friday in an elimination game. The winner of that game will then play at the last undefeated team on Saturday in the championship round.

CLASS A

           Defending upper state champion is the last undefeated tea, in the upper state tournament. Lewisville is scheduled to face the winner of Thursday’s elimination game between Whitmire and McBee on Friday.

           In the lower state tournament, Lake View is the last undefeated team. It is scheduled to play host to the championship round on Friday against the winner of Thursday’s elimination game between defending state champion Hannah-Pamplico and Latta.