High School Baseball Playoff Preview

With the high school baseball playoffs beginning all over the state on Monday, we here at Hazelwood Patch would like to provide all Hazelwood sports fans with a complete playoff preview for Class 4 District 6, the one MSHSAA district that involves all three varsity teams.

will serve as the host school for the district championship game, which weather permitting, is slated for Wednesday.

With rain in the forecast for the next few days, it’s certainly possible the semifinals and championship game could be moved to later dates, so stay tuned to Hazelwood Patch for updates on rain-outs, schedule changes, and of course, news and updates on all the game action.

The winner of Class 4 District 6 would advance to the state sectionals, and would play the winner of Class 4 District 7, on Tuesday, May 24, for the right to advance to the state quarterfinals that weekend.

Game locations for that round will be determined once the districts are completed.

Here’s our inside look at the one district in Hazelwood that matters, Class 4 District 6, hosted by Hazelwood West High School.

No. 1 seed – Hazelwood Central Hawks (10-10)

The skinny on the Hawks – finished fourth in the Suburban North Conference, suffered through two four-game losing streaks during the season.

Record in last 10 games – 3-7.

Last week they – defeated McCluer 9-6 on Monday, lost 9-4 against Ritenour on Tuesday.

Top Hitters – Jonathan Harris, Jr.-- .436 ba, 10 RBI; Matt Dezort, Jr.-- .410 ba, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 25 SB.

Top Pitchers – Jonathan Harris, Jr.—4-3, 4.13 ERA; Kurtis Haus, Sr.—2-1, 5.46 ERA.

Will play – McCluer North-Hazelwood East winner, after earning first-round bye as district’s top seed. Central will host district semifinal, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would advance to district championship game, which will be played at Hazelwood West High, on Wednesday, May 18, at 4:15 p.m.

No. 2 seed – Hazelwood West Wildcats (12-12)

The skinny on the Wildcats – finished third in the Suburban North Conference, youthful squad features only one senior starter in the everyday lineup.

Record in last 10 games – 5-5.

Last week they – lost 11-7 against McCluer North on Monday, defeated Pattonville 7-6 on Tuesday, defeated Francis Howell Central 7-6 on Wednesday, lost at Ft. Zumwalt West 13-2 on Thursday.

Top Hitters –Trevor Jones, Sr.-- .405 ba, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 20 SB; Matt Leinberger, Jr.-- .351 ba, 2 HR, 21 RBI; Oday Al-Yatim, Jr.-- .348 ba, 14 RBI.

Top Pitchers –Shane Olmstead, Soph.—3-2, 3.05 ERA; Brendan Fosdick, Jr.-- 3-1, 1.53 ERA; Jared Fosdick, Soph.-- 3-1, 5.00 ERA.

Will play – Jennings (7-11) at Hazelwood West, on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would face McCluer-Riverview Gardens winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 3 seed – McCluer Comets (8-16)

The skinny on the Comets – finished fifth in the Suburban North Conference, lineup anchored by MLB Draft prospect Lance Jeffries, only won two games in a row once all season.

Record in last 10 games – 4-6

Last week they – lost 9-6 at Hazelwood Central on Monday, lost 12-6 at Lutheran North on Tuesday, defeated Riverview Gardens 12-5 on Thursday.

Top Hitters –Lance Jeffries, Sr.-- .446 ba, 10 HR, 43 RBI, 43 SB; Eric Woodley, Jr.-- .310 ba, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 30 SB; Jermaine Richmond, Jr.-- .326 ba, 2 HR, 20 RBI.

Top Pitchers –John Struttman, Jr.-- 4-2, 2.48 ERA; Jeray Smith, Jr.-- 2-2, 7.50 ERA.

Will play – Riverview Gardens (2-16) at McCluer, on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would face Hazelwood West-Jennings winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 4 seed – McCluer North Stars (7-13)

The skinny on the Stars – finished sixth in the Suburban North Conference, began month of May with four straight losses, but won last two to end regular season.

Record in last 10 games – 4-6.

Last week they – defeated Hazelwood West 11-7 on Monday, defeated Hazelwood East 11-7 on Wednesday.

Top Hitters –Gregory Elliott, Sr.-- .433 ba, 14 RBI; Nick Wildman, Jr.-- .370 ba, 10 RBI.

Top Pitchers –Nick Wildman, Jr.-- 3-4, 4.28 ERA; Tyler Hunt, Jr.-- 1-4, 5.65 ERA.

Will play – Hazelwood East (5-13) at McCluer North, on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would face top-seeded Hazelwood Central in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 5 seed – Hazelwood East Spartans (5-13)

The skinny on the Spartans – finished seventh in the Suburban North Conference, had separate four- and seven-game losing streaks during the season, did score 31 runs in May 6 win at McCluer South-Berkeley.

Record in last 10 games – 4-6.

Last week they – lost 11-7 against McCluer North on Wednesday, defeated Normandy 15-8 on Thursday.

Top Hitters –LaDon Smith, Sr.-- .442 ba, 19 RBI; Darnell Harris, Sr.-- .349 ba, 18 RBI.

Top Pitchers – LaDon Smith, Sr.-- 2-1, 4.20 ERA; Wesley Haskins, Jr.-- 2-1, 5.73 ERA.

Will play – at McCluer North (7-13) on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would face top-seeded Hazelwood Central in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 6 seed – Riverview Gardens Rams (2-16)

The skinny on the Rams – finished last in Suburban North Conference, began season 2-3, have lost 13 in a row since.

Record in last 10 games – 0-10.

Last week they – lost 8-3 against Trinity Catholic on Monday, lost 12-5 against McCluer on Thursday.

Top Hitters – D. Dunn, .393 ba, 2 HR, 6 RBI.

Top Pitchers –R. Travis, 0-5, 10.50 ERA.

Will play – at McCluer (8-16) on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would face Hazelwood West-Jennings winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 7 seed – Jennings Warriors (7-11)

The skinny on the Warriors – finished fifth in the Suburban East Conference, after just three wins in March and April, Warriors have four wins in May.

Record in last 10 games – 4-6.

Last week they – lost 4-0 against Brentwood on Monday, lost 10-0 at Affton on Wednesday, lost 10-2 at Maplewood-Richmond Heights on Thursday.

Top Hitters – Anthony Goodland, Fr.-- .387 ba, 6 RBI; Traven Thomas, Fr.-- .375 ba, 14 RBI; Darrell Green, Soph.-- .340 ba, 1 HR, 11 RBI.

Top Pitchers –Devonte Jackson, Jr.-- 3-5, 7.25 ERA; Jeremiah Harvey, Jr.-- 1-4, 7.36 ERA.

Will play – at Hazelwood West (12-12), on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.

With win – would face McCluer-Riverview Gardens winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.