2011 Playoffs: Where the Blue and White Stand

"It's the bottom of the ninth, the score is tied, it's time for the big one."  ~ Anthony Edwards as "Goose" in "Top Gun"

While "Goose" certainly didn't invent that phrase, it certainly echoes the state of several Middletown High sports teams as we wind down the 2011 regular season and get set for the playoffs. 

An updated look at where they stand, who's clinched, who's waiting, and who's out, if any.

GIRLS SOFTBALL

The girls may have suffered their second loss of the regular season on May 16 against Tolman, but they bounced back quickly and beat Portsmouth the very next day, 12-11, to improve their first place record to (12-1) in their Division and (13-2) overall.  

Their situation is simple.  One Islander win, coupled with one Prout loss and the Division is theirs.  In fact the only way Middletown can lose the Division II South crown is if they somehow lose all three of their remaining games, and Prout wins their three remaining games. Prout would tie the Islanders record for the Division, but take it in a tiebreaker based on a better overall record of (13-4) to Middletown's (13-5) However, that is highly unlikely, but still possible.  

Either way, the Softball team is in the 2011 playoffs.  It's just a matter of if they finish with the Division title or not.

They play their final regular season home game on Monday, when they host Narragansett at 4 p.m.  They hit the road for their final two games, visiting Prout on Tuesday, in what could possibly be a Division title deciding game, and then they wrap up the 2011 regular season with a visit to Rogers.

The Islanders continued solidarity is the key to their postseason run in 2011.

BOYS BASEBALL

The boys of summer had a rough patch in April, but have turned their 2011 season around in impressive fashion, going 7-2 over their last 9 games, sitting at fourth place in Division I South.  With 1 game left on the season, the Islanders can do no better than a fourth place finish, after losing to EG, 9-2, on Saturday.

As of now, they have a (10-7) divisional record and are (10-8) overall on the year.  They will play their final regular season game on Monday afternoon, at home, against Tiverton.  First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

While it is uncertain where they will sit in the 2011 playoff bracket, they are all but in.

The boys will look for continued production from #1 starter Armand Rugel to propel them into the playoffs.

GIRLS LACROSSE

The girls suffered arguably their toughest loss of the season on Wednesday, dropping a key Division II South game to Narragansett, 13-10.  The two teams had entered the game tied for third, but with the win, the Mariners leapfrogged the Islanders and have put themselves in the drivers seat for the #3 spot in their division as the year closes out.  The Islanders look to finish strong and take back that third place spot when they host Westerly at home on "The Turf" on Monday at 6 p.m.  It is also senior night for the Islanders and a chance for them to finish strong as they head into the postseason.  If Narragansett loses to Portsmouth in their final regular season game, the two teams would once again be tied for that third spot in the division and it would come down to the usual nausea inducing tiebreakers.  

If the Islanders want to make any noise in the postseason, Zoe Mazzulli needs to be unleashed and help lead her team offensively.  Senior Kirsten Perry is the leader to be defensively as they wrap up their regular season and get ready for the playoffs.

BOYS LACROSSE

The Boys Lacrosse team had a bit of an up and down year.  Some big wins, some really tough losses.  A little imbalance here and there was capped with a tough 17-5 loss to second place SK.  They finish the regular season with a (6-7) Divisional record and (7-8) overall.  Ian Larcom had some awesome hits throughout this past season, and Field Martin had a couple nifty hat trick games to help highlight his team on the field offensively.   They will try to regroup and make a solid run as they try to put the last game behind them and simply move forward from here.

BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK

The Boys and Girls Varsity Track teams finished their regular season meets and now await the RIIL State Track and Field Championship.  For those who have qualified it is a chance to go up against every school in the state and prove who’s the "best of the best.”  

The 2011 RIIL State Track and Field Championship will be held on June 4th at Brown University.  Start time is 12 p.m.

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME...

After next week concludes, we will know definitively where the teams stand in the upcoming playoffs.  For now, they need to finish strong, regardless of the seeding, the wins and losses.  They should want to finish the year on a high note, with a W in the box score instead of an L.

Next week's column will focus entirely on the 2011 playoffs for the Middletown Islander teams.  Where they stand, who they might face, and who's got the best chance at bringing home a State Title.

Here.  Next week.  It all becomes clear.