Crunch time in post-season play for Cullman, Cold Springs, West Point

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Johnny Thornton

CULLMAN – Two weeks remain for spring sports in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), with champions set to be crowned in soccer, softball, baseball and golf.

Three schools in Cullman County are still involved in three sports, looking to take the next step toward playing for a state championship.

Softball is down to regional play with Cullman, West Point and Cold Springs alive in their respective classifications.

Cullman will be the first team to take to the diamond for regional softball, facing Southside-Gadsden today at 1:30 p.m. in the 6A North Regional at the Metro Sportsplex in Huntsville. The Lady Bearcats enter the regional as champions of Area 14, meeting the runner-up from Area 13 in round one of the eight-team, double-elimination bracket.

West Point is placed in the North-Central Regional in Tuscaloosa. The 5A, Area 12 runner-up meets Area 11 champion Mortimer Jordan at 3 p.m. Thursday at Bowers Park.

Cold Springs is not scheduled to play until Friday in Huntsville. The Lady Eagles are in the regional for the first time and have a 3 p.m. assignment with Phil Campbell. Cold Springs won the 2A, Area 13 championship, with Phil Campbell second in Area 14.

Cullman baseball

It's an emotional time for Cullman baseball, as the Bearcats focus on meeting Hueytown in the 6A semifinals. A doubleheader is scheduled for today at Hueytown at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

The hearts of the Bearcats are heavy with tears after JV player Curtis Wilson passed away as a result of an auto accident over the weekend on Cullman County Road 222.

Funeral services for the 15-year old were held Wednesday evening at Daystar Church. A private burial is scheduled for today.

Cullman is the No. 1 ranked program in Class 6A with Hueytown sixth rated across the state. The Bearcats swept McAdory, Walker and Decatur to reach the final four. Hueytown defeated Albertville,

Athens won a three-game series over Hartselle, taking the finale on Monday in Hartselle 7-2. Cullman is 35-7 with Hueytown 33-6.

Game three of the series, if needed, is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Cullman soccer

A strong postseason has lifted the Bearcats a step closer to defending their 6A championship.

Cullman knocked off Fort Payne 4-3 in overtime in round one, edged Florence 2-0 in the second round and pulled off a 2-0 upset of Area 14 champion Albertville over the weekend to return to Huntsville for the semifinals.

The Bearcats take on Carver-Birmingham at 11 a.m. Friday at John Hunt Park in the Rocket City. The winner faces the winner of the Daphne-Pelham game Saturday at noon for the state championship.

Weather a concern for the weekend

A wet Friday is forecast by the National Weather Service. The wet conditions could create delays for the AHSAA postseason. A majority of the baseball semifinal rounds were moved up to Thursday in order to stay ahead of the rain and have Saturday to fall back on if any of the series goes to a game three.

Soccer can be played in the rain, but not in lightning. The wet weather is to clear out Friday night with partly cloudy conditions in the forecast for Saturday and the high to be in the mid 70s.

Stay tuned throughout the weekend for updated information on spring sports playoffs.

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