Sports Notes: Softball sectionals begin this week

The area softball teams will begin their sectional tournament this week around the area as the postseason has arrived. Next week, the baseball sectionals will take place, with those schedules coming next week in the Tippecanoe Gazette.

Tippecanoe enters the Division Three sectionals as the #2 seed in the area behind Greenville. The Red Devils open their tournament action tomorrow night at 5 p.m., hosting Belmont in the first round of the sectional tournament. A win against the Bison will bring Tipp back next Tuesday also at 5 p.m. against MVL foe Piqua in the second round. The winner of that game will likely play #3 Ross in the District Finals on Friday, May 23.

The winner of that bracket advances to the regional semis on May 28 at a location TBA. If the seeds holds up, #1 Western Brown would be the opponent to advance but #4 Franklin, #6 Monroe, and #7 CJ all reside in that bracket.

Butler is also in Division 3, and they travel to Bellbrook in their opening game tomorrow at 5 p.m. The Aviators are #5 seed in the tournament with the Eagles flying in at #3.

Bethey drew the #8 seed and hosted #9 Greenon last night, with the winner of that game traveling to Brookville tomorrow in the sectional tournament in Division Four. Should Bethel advance past that game, they will get the task of battling the #1 team in Ohio in Division Four, unbeaten Kenton Ridge in the district finals.

Finally in Division Five, Milton Union drew the #3 seed and will host Northwestern tonight at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs then will travel to Arcanum if they can win their opening game, and the game is set for Monday at 5 p.m.

The baseball draw was held this past Sunday and a look at that bracket for the local teams will be next week in the Gazette.

*New coach named- Based upon board approval, the new varsity girls basketball coach at Tippecanoe will be Brett Kopp, a name familiar with Tipp athletics. Not only does he reside in the community, but he has also been the boys varsity coach at Piqua the last few years. Before that, he was the varsity boys coach at Bethel.

*Bethel sports- The Bethel baseball team is trying to hold onto the lead in the Three Rivers Conference as the season winds down this week. The Bees lost at Troy Christian 3-2 last week, and holds a two-game lead in the conference heading into this week.

The Bees softball team sits in the middle of the TRC with a 4-5 conference record. They knocked off Troy Christian 15-1 last week and defeated Preble Shawnee in a non-conference game 10-2.