Ihsaa Baseball Sectionals Draw 2018

Delta's Brady Edwards catches a ball at first base in a doubleheader at Yorktown High School Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

MUNCIE, Ind. — The IHSAA baseball sectional pairings were announced Sunday during a live draw show. Tournament play begins May 23 and goes until the state champions are crowned at Victory Field on June 16.

Here are the matchups and some bracket reaction for each ECI team (records as of May 7):

Class 4A Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Sectional

Quarterfinals: Greenfield-Central (9-7) vs. Mt. Vernon (11-5); Pendleton Heights (7-10) vs. Connersville (0-17); Anderson (13-8) vs. Central (7-13)

Semifinals: Richmond (11-7) vs. Greenfield-Central/Mt. Vernon; Pendleton Heights/Connersville vs. Anderson/Central

Reaction: This is a solid sectional field overall and the Bearcats received a pretty tough draw. Anderson swept Central by scores of 8-2 and 10-0 this season. If Central were to advance, it would likely see a Pendleton Heights team that is always strong and another battle-tested team in the final.

Class 3A Yorktown Sectional

Quarterfinals: Delta (5-14) vs. Hamilton Heights (9-5); Yorktown (13-7) vs. Blackford (7-12)

Semifinals: Delta/Hamilton Heights vs. Yorktown/Blackford; Guerin Catholic (7-9) vs. New Castle (14-5)

Reaction: It isn't clear cut with Delta facing a strong Hamilton Heights squad and Yorktown taking on defending Class 2A sectional champ Blackford, but we could wind up with a county rivalry in the semifinals. Yorktown looks like the favorite on its home field and there's a good chance the Tigers see New Castle in the final.

Class 3A Bellmont Sectional

Quarterfinals: Norwell (10-4) vs. Marion (6-9); Mississinewa (10-7) vs. Jay County (9-5)

Semifinals: Norwell/Marion vs. Mississinewa/Jay County; Heritage (9-7) vs. Bellmont (7-5)

Reaction: This sectional appears to be wide open. Jay County is on the tougher side of the bracket, so the Patriots will need their pitching to step up if they're going to make a run here.

Class 2A Lapel Sectional

Quarterfinals: Shenandoah (9-7) vs. Monroe Central (10-7); Burris (4-6) vs. Frankton (12-6)

Semifinals: Shenandoah/Monroe Central vs. Burris/Frankton; Lapel (12-4) vs. Wapahani (13-5)

Reaction: Wapahani, the defending Class 2A runner-up, got the fortune of only having to win twice to defend its title. Beating Lapel and potentially Frankton, another favorite, in the championship will be a tall task. That Shenandoah vs. Monroe Central opener should be a good game.

Class 2A Centerville Sectional

Quarterfinals: Hagerstown (12-3) vs. Cambridge City Lincoln (2-15); Centerville (6-6) vs. Northeastern (2-9)

Semifinals: Hagerstown/Lincoln vs. Centerville/Northeastern; Union County (16-3) vs. Winchester (5-8)

Reaction: Winchester plays one of the favorites in Union County, which it lost to 12-1 earlier this season. The positive side is that the Golden Falcons only have to win once to make it to the championship. Hagerstown has a strong team on the other side.

Class 2A Anderson Prep Sectional

Quarterfinals: Cowan (7-9) vs. Daleville (11-6); Tri-Central (0-8) vs. Southern Wells (2-11); Wes-Del (9-8) vs. Anderson Prep (3-6)

Semifinals: Liberty Christian (3-9) vs. Cowan/Daleville; Tri-Central/Southern Wells vs. Wes-Del/Anderson Prep

Reaction: We get a county rivalry in the first round with Daleville and Cowan. The Broncos are likely the favorite here in their bid for a fourth straight sectional title. Wes-Del, meanwhile, got the best draw in this bracket and could challenge Daleville in the championship game.

Class A Seton Catholic Sectional

Quarterfinals: Randolph Southern (3-10) vs. Blue River (0-12)

Semifinals: Union City (10-2-1) vs. Seton Catholic (5-8); Tri (8-8) vs. Randolph Southern/Blue River

Reaction: The Vikings are having a tough season, but get a good chance for a win in Round 1. Another positive is that Union City, the favorite in this bracket, is on the other side.

Jake Fox is a high school sports writer at The Star Press. Contact him at (765) 213-5848, jfox@muncie.gannett.com or @FoxJake_.