Baseball Previews

CRESWELL (21-5, 14-1, #2)

■ Leading off: The Bulldogs moved up to No. 2 in Class 3A this week despite losing their undefeated league record. This week, the Bulldogs have a non-league matchup with No. 7 South Umpqua/Day Creek (18-8, 13-2) to finish off the regular season. If these two keep their seeds, a second-round matchup in state playoffs is in play, so this could be a preview of that higher-stakes matchup.

THURSTON (14-10, 8-7, #9)

■ Leading off: Thurston has two of the biggest games of its season on tap this week. A Thursday doubleheader with No. 15 Ashland (11-11, 8-7) will finish off the regular season for the Colts. The Colts first priority is to win the series and finish above the Grizzlies, with whom they are tied. Given their Top 10 ranking in the state, the Colts should qualify for state playoffs, but would feel a lot safer if they are able to leapfrog Eagle Point, who plays No. 4 North Eugene this week, or Crater, who plays No. 31 Springfield. The Colts are 2 games back from the Eagles, but own the tiebreaker, and 1.5 games behind the Comets. If the Colts can pass one of those teams, they would earn one of the Midwestern League’s three automatic qualifiers.

SPRINGFIELD (0-22, 0-16, #31)

■ Leading off: Springfield travels to No. 3 Crater (18-7, 10-6) on Thursday to finish off its season, hoping to get its first win in a major upset. Last season, the Comets swept the Millers.

COTTAGE GROVE (4-20, 1-8, #29)

■ Leading off: The Lions finish the season with No. 16 North Bend (9-13, 3-6) in a road doubleheader on Thursday. Last season, the Bulldogs swept the Lions.

PLEASANT HILL (6-13, 3-9, #23)

■ Leading off: P-Hill finishes its season with a non-league game at No. 27 Dayton (13-11, 6-8). The Billies are 3-2 in their past five, rebounding from a six-game losing streak.

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