Softball Predictions

Here's a look at how I see the softball brackets shaping up:

We're looking at a six-team bracket in Class A, so the top two seeds will get a bye.

1. East Hampton (18-1, League VI)

5. Islip (10-9, League V)

vs.

4. Mt. Sinai (16-1, League VII)

6. Westhampton (9-9, League VI)

vs.

3. Miller Place (16-5, League VI)

2. Eastport/South Manor (15-4, League V. The only team to beat East Hampton this year.)

If this holds up, Mt. Sinai is on pace to head to East Hampton in the second round, should the Mustangs win in the first round. The Mustangs will have the advantage of needing to beat Jessie Stavola only once. Miller Place, on the other hand, will have to face East Hampton, should the Panthers win their first two games, in the county championship — a best of three.

Coaches seem to prefer their luck in a best of three. But let's be honest. The longer a series is, the advantage leans toward the better team. So it's probably better to face East Hampton in one game, winner take all. Eastport-South Manor, though, will be an equally tough task in the second round for any team. Easport is the only team this season to defeat East Hampton. Those two teams would have to be the favorites to meet in the county championship. The Panthers, though, did beat Eastport, 1-0, this season.