About the softball playoffs

TEAMS TO WATCH

• Spring: The Lions dominated 16-6A, winning their district games by an average of 17 runs. The lineup is hitting a combined .441, while Kaelyn Roberts is 20-2 in the pitcher’s circle.

• Barbers Hill: Led by senior pitcher Meagan King (Texas State signee), the 21-5A champions haven’t lost since February and are seeking a second state trip in four years.

• Deer Park: After two titles from 2012-14, the Deer could make another run behind five regulars hitting better than .400 and starting pitchers Madison Nelson and Erin Edmoundson.

• Santa Fe: The Indians are another team that went months between close games, but they have one of the area’s best in senior Shelbi Sunseri (.561 average, 22-2 pitching record). They also own a win over Katy.

• Foster: The Falcons split district games with Angleton, which claimed the Region III-5A title a year ago, but they could be the last team standing now that both must navigate Region IV.

INTRIGUING FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS

• Chavez vs. Cypress Lakes: Cy Lakes made its playoff debut in 2013 and swept MacArthur but hasn’t reached the second round since. The Spartans face a Chavez team with a number of playoff appearances on its résumé but looking to reach the second round for the first time.

• Tompkins vs. Kempner: While Katy dominated 19-6A, Tompkins was the only team to take the champion Tigers to a full seven innings. Plus the Falcons have the series opener at home. Kempner was part of a three-team tiebreaker but has momentum after winning in walkoff fashion to end the regular season and a back-and-forth shootout in the tiebreaker. • MacArthur vs. Klein Oak: MacArthur spent most of the regular season sitting near the top of the Texas Girls Coaches Association state rankings and goes into the playoffs seventh in Class 6A. Klein Oak was third in 15-6A but has wins over playoff teams in Cy-Fair, Pearland, Klein Collins and Klein. It’s a one-game playoff at College Park.