Van Vleck and Palacios have secured playoff berths in University Interscholastic League softball competition while Tidehaven and the Leopards are trying to work their way into the baseball postseason.

Here is a look at what is happening on the baseball and softball fronts in the area as races are quickly coming to a close:

TIDEHAVEN SECURES TWO KEY WINS: The Tigers took two big wins over Edna this past week to enhance their playoff position.

This past Tuesday, Tidehaven eked out a 1-0 victory as Kale Russell and Stratton Crow delivered the only hits the Tigers would need as Tidehaven scored its lone run in the third inning.

Pitcher Crow worked all seven innings, allowing just five hits and striking out 11.

In the 5-3 win over Edna, Tidehaven scored single runs in the first three innings and added two more in the fifth inning. Ashton Klaiber and Tristan Galvan each doubled for the Tigers and Galvan also drove in a run.

Bodie Sones and Kole Sengsourivong each went 2-for-4 for Tidehaven while collecting one hit each were Bryce Sliva and Gage Dyer.

Tidehaven (12-7-2 overall) is 6-4 in District 25-3A and battling Hallettsville, Yoakum, Columbus and Industrial for the playoff berths.

VAN VLECK IN POSTION TO CLAIM PLAYOFF BERTH: The Leopards took a 16-0 win over Hempstead last week before dropping a 10-2 decision to Wallis Brazos on Tuesday.

In the win over Hempstead, Van Vleck scored 7 runs in the second inning and 9 in the third while taking advantage of 10 Hempstead errors.

In its loss, Brazos scored six runs in the first inning to pave its way to victory.

Van Vleck (15-7 overall) is 3-4 in District 24-3A and trying to hang on to fourth place. The Leopards are one game ahead of Hitchcock. East Bernard, Brazos and Boling are the top three teams in the league.

BAY CITY NEEDS WINS DOWN THE STRETCH: The Blackcats dropped a tough 6-2 home decision to Columbia on Tuesday night in a District 29-4A matchup.

Bay City led 2-1 after the first inning before the Roughnecks scored twice in the third and three times in the fourth to build a 6-2 cushion. Columbia managed to outhit Bay City, 9-3.

The Blackcats were looking to return to their winning ways at Brazosport on Friday.

Bay City (6-11-2 overall and 1-6 in district games) will need to surge in its remaining schedule to try to secure the fourth playoff spot.

PALACIOS DROPS TWO TO INDUSTRIAL: The Sharks (4-18 overall) dropped a recent series to Vanderbilt Industrial, falling just 5-4 last Thursday before Industrial claimed a 12-2 win on Tuesday night.

 Daniel Herrera pitched well for Palacios in game one, allowing just two hits over four innings, striking out four and permitting just two hits. Caden Brooks, Barrett Botbyl, Brock Garcia and Erik Garcia each collected hits for the Sharks.

Brock Garcia and Erik Garcia each drove in runs for Palacios while Logan Nieto drew three walks and stole two bases.

 In the 12-2 loss, Botbyl and David Sandoval each drove in runs while Brooks and Ben Jimenez each collected hits for the Sharks, who are in seventh place in the league standings with a 2-8 record.  

COLUMBIA PULLS AWAY LATE TO TOP BAY CITY: Bay City couldn’t find enough offense Tuesday night against Columbia in falling to 0-7 in a tough District 29-4A race.

 Columbia took an 8-0 win, pulling away with a five-run eighth inning.

Macie Fiquero, Addison Smith and Natalinh Maldonado each had hits to power the Lady Cats’ offense.

 Junior Kyliah Garcia only allowed four earned runs in pitching seven innings for Bay City (4-14 overall). She struck out three and walked one.

 Needville, Columbia and El Campo have secured the top three spots in district and Sweeny is closing in on fourth place.

 PALACIOS SEWS UP PLAYOFF BERTH: The Sharkettes (12-14) picked up a couple of important wins last Thursday and this past Tuesday to earn a playoff berth. 

Palacios is 6-6 in district and in fourth place with two games remaining but the Sharkettes hold a three-game lead over fifth-place Yoakum.

 The top three teams in the district – and headed to the playoffs – are Industrial, Hallettsville and Columbus.

On Thursday, the team downed Edna, 12-7. Adria Flores delivered an RBI-single to start the Palacios offense in that victory. The Sharkettes scored five runs in the sixth inning, led by Kinsley Marroquin’s two-run hit. 

Laila Richards would eventually follow with the big blast, a three-run home run to centerfield. Breylynn Elizondo provided strong relief for Palacios to help the Sharkettes stave off Edna. Jahanna Starrett started for Palacios, and although she allowed six runs, none of those runs were earned in 2 2/3 innings.

Richards finished the night with a 2-for-5 effort at the plate with three RBI. Riley Critendon, Eloise Starrett and Dazia Alacantara each drew two walks and each stole multiple bases as the Sharkettes had 10 swipes during the game. 

In a 6-0 win over Tidehaven Tuesday, Jahanna Starrett pitched the shutout, allowing just four hits while walking three and striking out one.

Elosie Starrett went 2-for-3 for Palacios while Cheyenne Sweet drove in two runs 

RODRIGUEZ POWERS TIDEHAVEN TO VICTORY: Last Thursday, the Tigerettes downed Rice Consolidated, 12-4, as pitcher Sophie Rodriguez struck out 10 batters in the decisive win in a District 25-3A game.

Rodriguez scattered eight hits and walked none in seven innings.

Adrianna Rahuba led Tidehaven with three hits in four plate appearances while Whisper Dekle and Jenna Mireles each drove in two runs for Tidehaven.

Addison Duckett stole three bases for the Tigerettes. 

Powerful Industrial (17-1-1 overall), Hallettsville, Columbus and Palacios have wrapped up playoff berths in District 25-3A. 

WALLER, MATCHETT FUEL VAN VLECK TRIUMPH: The Lady Leopards remained unbeaten in District 24-3A and improved to 18-5 overall with a 12-1 win over Hitchcock on Tuesday night.

Kamryn Waller delivered a bases-clearing single in a six-run fourth inning and then scored on Aamry Gutierrez’s single.

 Lakyn Matchett earned the pitching victory for Van Vleck, allowing just three hits, no earned runs, struck out nine and walked none in the five-inning game.

Matchett also had a couple of hits for the Lady Leopards.

The Lady Leopards also claimed a 7-0 win over Hempstead last Wednesday.

Van Vleck, which has clinched a playoff berth, is unbeaten in district games and is trying to hold off East Bernard and Boling for the league title.