Here are the IHSAA softball sectional pairings for Southwestern Indiana

The Indiana High School Athletic Association announced its high school softball pairings on Sunday.

There are several Southwestern Indiana teams primed for a lengthy postseason run, including six ranked in the top 10 of their respective classes in the latest coaches' poll. The journey begins first with the sectional round May 20-May 25. The state championship is scheduled for the weekend of June 7 at Purdue University.

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The following are the defending sectional champions from the Evansville area: North (4A), Jasper (3A), Gibson Southern (3A), North Posey (2A), Barr-Reeve (1A) and Tecumseh (1A). North Posey and Tecumseh both won state titles last season.

Here are the pairings for each area sectional with brief analysis of the draw. Dates and times are determined by the host schools.

IHSAA softball sectional pairings

Class 4A at North

Game 1: Central vs. Reitz

Game 2: Harrison vs. North

Game 3: Castle vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Championship

Analysis: No. 2 Castle is clear favorite with its deep roster and lineup. It hasn’t lost to a team from Southern Indiana yet this season. Also one who received a semifinal bye. Reitz, a potential semifinal opponent, gave Castle its toughest game from this group so far in a 7-2 loss on Thursday. North is the early favorite to advance from the other side of the bracket.

Class 3A at Southridge

Game 1: Pike Central vs. Heritage Hills

Game 2: Southridge vs. Washington

Game 3: Vincennes Lincoln vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Jasper vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Class 3A at Boonville

Game 1: Boonville vs. Gibson Southern

Game 2: Bosse vs. Mount Vernon

Game 3: Memorial vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Princeton vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Analysis: Both fields feature multiple solid teams. Heritage Hills and Southridge are likely the co-favorites at this stage. The Patriots have multiple pitchers and pop in the lineup. The Raiders have recent wins over Heritage Hills and Mount Vernon, plus a Division I hitter. Jasper did prove last season not to overlook it in May.

No. 1 Gibson Southern is the favorite in Sectional 32 with a quality game required to knock the Titans out. The field does have depth though with No. 10 Mount Vernon, Memorial, Boonville and Princeton. The semifinal round could be an interesting evening at Mike Wilson Field.

Class 2A at South Knox

Game 1: Eastern Greene vs. North Knox

Game 2: Sullivan vs. South Knox

Game 3: Mitchell vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Linton-Stockton vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Class 2A at Forest Park

Game 1: Tell City vs. Mater Dei

Game 2: South Spencer vs. Perry Central

Game 3: Forest Park vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: North Posey vs. Game 2 winner

Game 5: Championship

Analysis: No. 7 North Posey is the favorite once again in Sectional 48 and received a semifinal bye. The draw is also solid with Tell City and Mater Dei, a sneaky good first-round matchup, both on the other side of the bracket. Whomever wins here is likely to face Sullivan in the regional.

Class 1A at North Daviess

Game 1: Orleans vs. Barr-Reeve

Game 2: Shoals vs. North Daviess

Game 3: Loogootee vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Championship

Class 1A at Northeast Dubois

Game 1: Springs Valley vs. Northeast Dubois

Game 2: Wood Memorial vs. Tecumseh

Game 3: Cannelton vs. Game 1 winner

Game 4: Championship

Analysis: There are strong favorites in each 1A sectional. No. 5 Barr-Reeve is a two-time defending sectional champion and has the top pitcher (Karlye Graber) in the field. The Vikings do require the long route with three victories and potentially North Daviess in the championship.

No. 2 Tecumseh, the two-time defending state champ, gets a deserved semifinal bye. Again, a strong performance will be needed to beat the battle-tested Braves. Their top competitor in this field is once again host Northeast Dubois.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA softball sectional pairings for Southwestern Indiana