High schools

Defending state champs and challengers in baseball begin regional playoff action today.

Broward and Palm Beach counties return four state champions to this year’s playoffs and all appear primed for trips to Fort Myers regional play begins Tuesday.

Douglas is finding its groove after some midseason struggles. The Eagles (20-4) have won 11 in a row after taking the District 11-9A crown over Coral Springs on Thursday. They host West Broward (15-6) in Tuesday’s Region 3-9A quarterfinal.

Archbishop McCarthy, which entered the season ranked No. 1 nationally in three major polls, is going for its seventh state title in eight seasons. The Mavericks (24-2) had to win the last two as a district runner-up, but this season they enter the tournament as District 15-6A champ.

They have won five straight, including a 4-3 bout with American Heritage in the district final. They figure to have a rematch with the Patriots (19-7) in regional semifinals, but first McCarthy hosts Miami Springs while Heritage visits Miami Goleman.

Like McCarthy, Calvary Christian last year had to play the role of road warriors to get to states. The Eagles (21-7) will be at home this time after winning the District 7-4A title over University School (25-3) on Saturday. Calvary hosts Miami Palmer Trinity in a Region 4-4A semifinal and U-School travels to Miami Westminster Christian (22-5), which is tied for the state record with 11 titles.

Trinity Christian (18-6) comes into regionals after dominating in District 7-2A and weathering a tough non-district schedule that included handing McCarthy its last loss. Trinity takes on Miami Brito at home in a Region 4-2A semifinal.

Aside from Heritage in Class 6A and U-School in 4A, other local teams will challenge within their classification.

Douglas will be tested from the start with West Broward and the Flanagan-Coral Springs winner could make a run. In the Palm Beach half of Region 3-9A, Jupiter (19-6-2) and Park Vista (21-4) are paired in quarterfinals after the Warriors were stunned in the District 9-9A final against Palm Beach Central (16-10).

Class 8A has several state candidates with Nova (21-3), St. Thomas Aquinas (20-5), Coral Glades (15-6) and Wellington (21-6). Dwyer (22-5) looks to make a run in 7A while Pompano Beach (21-3) will compete in 5A.

Archbishop McCarthy is going for its seventh state title in eight seasons.