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Close races in MAC as postseason nears

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By Andrew Petersen | Thursday, June 26, 2008 4:17 PM CDT | () comments

Just weeks removed from fears that rain could determine MAC champions in baseball and softball, it’s looking like everyone should get their games in — heavy knock on wood.

So, with the teams in control, which schools will thrive in their final 4-8 league games?

Since a 5-6 start to the year, the Bettendorf baseball team has won 16 straight and could be primed for its first trip to state in six years.

The Assumption boys are hard to read.

The Knights are just a few games over .500 outside conference play, but against MAC teams, they are 10-2. That league mark is tied with Bettendorf for second, behind Burlington (9-1).

The rest of the MAC baseball teams are at least 3½ games back, but they aren’t pushovers.

Central (6-8) has split three of its seven MAC doubleheaders so far, and Pleasant Valley (5-5) has been equally up and down.

In softball, the MAC is a bit more top-heavy.

Burlington is 23-5 overall and 10-3 in conference.

A Bettendorf team that starts five freshmen is 9-3 in the MAC, winning seven of its past eight.

Below the Bulldogs, Assumption, North Scott and Muscatine all are 10-4.

West, which was the state’s No. 1 team just a week ago, dropped four straight conference games before sweeping North on Wednesday.

There’s a lot to be decided in the next week or two.

Who’s your upset special with regionals, districts and substates nearing? Who’s your lock?

The choices are plentiful.