Previews for Southeastern District softball, baseball and girls soccer tournaments

BASEBALL

Tuesday’s semifinals at Nansemond River No. 1 seed Western Branch (17-3) vs. No. 4 seed Indian River (14-7), 5:30 p.m.; No. 2 seed Hickory (16-4) vs. No. 3 seed Great Bridge (16-4), 8 p.m.

Final Wednesday, 6 p.m. at Nansemond River

Outlook Western Branch recovered from a three-game losing streak late to win its first district regular-season title since 2001. The Bruins, led by ace Chad O’Connor (7-2, 1.71 ERA), also own the district’s top seed in next week’s Eastern Region tournament. That leaves the other three teams to fight for the only remaining berth. The season is over after tonight for Great Bridge or Hickory after the two spent most of the season in South Hampton Roads’ top five. The Hawks won two regular-season meetings and feature the pitching combo of Gary Ward (7-0, 0.71 ERA) and Brett Harris (7-3, 1.23 ERA). The Wildcats, meanwhile, have won eight of their past nine games and have a nine-game winner in Brandon Smith. Phil McCarthy, first-team All-Tidewater last season as a junior, is Great Bridge’s mound ace, but Hickory has defeated him twice this spring. Indian River earned the fourth seed with a playoff victory over Nansemond River.

– Jami Frankenberry

SOFTBALL

Tuesday’s semifinals at Nansemond River No. 1 seed Hickory (20-0) vs. No. 4 seed KIng’s Fork (11-9), 5:30 p.m.; No. 2 seed Great Bridge (17-3) vs. No. 3 seed Western Branch (16-4).

Final Wednesday, 6 p.m. at Nansemond River

Outlook Can Hickory continue its unbeaten roll and who will join the Hawks as the district’s other representative in the Eastern Region tournament? Yes and Great Bridge are the likely answers. Great Bridge has a lengthy hex on Western Branch, but the Wildcats have lost two of their last three games. King’s Fork, which had to defeat Nansemond River in a playoff for the fourth seed, won’t roll over for Hickory and ace Jennifer Gniadek. Great Bridge has appeared in the last 10 Eastern Region tournaments.

– Mike Keech

GIRLS SOCCER

Tuesday’s semifinals at Grassfield No. 4 seed Western Branch (10-4-2) vs. No. 1 seed Hickory (10-4-1), 5:30 p.m.; No. 3 seed Indian River (12-3) vs. No. 2 seed Great Bridge (12-2-1), 7:30 p.m.

Final Thursday, 5:30 p.m. at Grassfield

Outlook Hickory has secured the district’s top seed in the Eastern Region tournament by winning the regular-season title. But Great Bridge, Western Branch and Indian River all have a shot at the second berth. The match that likely will settle things is the semifinal that pits the Braves against the Wildcats. Earlier this season, Great Bridge, which tied with Hickory for the league lead in goal differential, defeated Indian River 2-0.

– Rainer Sabin