Postseason play begins with D-I first round

Big-school sectional semifinals start May 7, and Marissa McNees has preview capsules for games involving Midview, Westlake, Lorain, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, North Olmsted and Avon.

No. 9 Lakewood at No. 8 Midview

What: Division I Lorain District sectional semifinal When: May 7, 5 p.m.

Where: Midview High School, 38199 Capel Road, Grafton For the record: Midview (10-12, 8-7 SWC) lost to Lakewood (7-11) by run rule in the teams’ first meeting on April 12. Due to weather, the conference foes haven’t met for the second game to complete the season series and both have had back-and-forth seasons to this point. However, each team is capable of a big win — most notably, Lakewood recently beat the Lorain District’s second seed, St. Edward, 3-2, while Midview handed Amherst its first loss in the first weeks of the season. The Middies hung tough through a grind of a conference schedule and will be motivated by the early season run rule-loss, which gives them a slight edge in the first round of the postseason. McNees’ pick: Midview

No. 12 North Ridgeville at No. 5 Avon Lake

What: Division I Lorain District sectional semifinal When: May 7, 5 p.m. Where: Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake For the record: Avon Lake (13-7) has been the surprise of the Southwestern Conference, lingering near the top of the standings before recent losses to Olmsted Falls and SWC champion Amherst. While conference foe North Ridgeville (7-13) has struggled this season, the Rangers have won two straight against Avon and Lakewood. Anybody can beat anybody when it comes to the postseason. But it’s especially true in a district that’s virtually a conference tournament filled with familiar opponents. Don’t sleep on Avon Lake, however. The fifth-seeded Shoremen have big hitters and a quality pitching staff that can take them farther than even a sectional final. McNees’ pick: Avon Lake

No. 10 Westlake at No. 7 Lorain

What: Division I Lorain District sectional semifinal When: May 7, 5 p.m.

Where: 2270 East 42nd Street, Lorain

For the record: Lorain (128) won the Lake Erie League championship for the third year in a row and had some big non-conference wins, including Keystone, Fairview and Amherst. Meanwhile, Westlake (3-8) has struggled this season and has given up 56 runs in its last four games. Neither teams boast dominant pitching, but the Titans play stout defense and have one of the fastest outfields in the area. Pair that with a lineup that has five hitters with at least 15 hits including Manny Brown (24) and Michael Clark (22), Lorain should have little trouble with the visiting Demons and get a chance at No. 2 seed St. Edward in a sectional final. McNees’ pick: Lorain

No. 11 North Olmsted at No. 6 Avon

What: Division I Lorain District sectional semifinal When: May 7, 5 p.m. Where: Avon Early Learning Center, 3075 Stoney Ridge Road, Avon For the record: Avon (11-10) won both games this season by a margin of 23-7. Though the Eagles have struggled as of late, losing four straight games and giving up 10 or more runs in three of the four, it’s hard to imagine they don’t pull off a win against North Olmsted (4-13). The counterpart Eagles have some power in their lineup, but don’t have one dominant pitcher to shut down one of the better hitting teams in the area. As the defending district champion, Avon will have its work cut out for it if it wants to get back to the district final. But at the very least should win in the first round and get a shot at No. 3 seed Elyria.

McNees’ pick: Avon McNees’ record: 0-0