By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Loyola Prep starts off the local LHSAA baseball playoffs today with the first game of its best-of-3 series against Northlake Christian at Cicero Field at 6 p.m.
The Flyers are the 15th seed in the Select Division III bracket and bring a 14-17 record to start the postseason. Northlake is the 18th seed and finished the regular season 12-15. The series will continue Friday with Game 2 at 5 p.m. and if necessary Game 3 will follow.
Five other local schools will begin their best-of-3 series Friday and conclude the series on Saturday with Game 2 and if necessary Game 3.
Non-Select Division I first-round games in the area Friday have No. 11 Parkway hosting No. 22 Ponchatoula and No. 13 Benton hosting No. 20 Denham Springs. No. 19 Haughton is on the road to No. 14 Walker.
Select Division I Byrd, ranked No. 20, will travel to New Orleans to face No. 13 Holy Cross. The Yellow Jackets advanced to the quarterfinals last season where they were eliminated by eventual state champion Jesuit of New Orleans.
Evangel, the No. 13 team in Select Division II, will host No. 20 McDonogh #35.
Here is the schedule for each of the best-of-3 series involving local teams in each division of the LHSAA baseball playoffs:
Select Division III
No. 18 Northlake Christian (12-15) at No. 15 Loyola (14-17), Thursday, 6 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m., if necessary 7 p.m.
Non-Select Division I
No. 22 Ponchatoula (15-12) at No. 11 Parkway (22-8), Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon; if necessary 3 p.m.
No. 20 Denham Springs (17-12) at No. 13 Benton (25-9), Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, noon; if necessary 3 p.m.
No. 19 Haughton (21-11) at No. 14 Walker (23-10), Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon; if necessary 3 p.m.
Select Division I
No. 20 Byrd (9-21) at No. 13 Holy Cross (12-14), Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.; if necessary 2 p.m.
Select Division II
No. 20 McDonogh #35 (15-9) at No. 13 Evangel (12-16), Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon; if necessary 2:30 p.m.
Contact Lee at leeh051@hotmail.com