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One week, 12 teams, and six playoff spots up for grabs: The Fairfield Interscholastic Athletic Conference is in for a memorable final week of the baseball regular season. With the weather forecast calling for unsettled weather all week, however, when the questions will be answered is up in the air.
Locked In
The only two teams that have clinched FCIAC playoff spots are top-ranked St. Joseph (13-2) and Brien McMahon (12-3). The Cadets were undefeated until McMahon nipped them in extra innings May 5, giving the Senators a huge tiebreaker advantage. But a lot could change by the end of the week. McMahon has a huge showdown against fifth place New Canaan scheduled for Wednesday. St. Joseph plays just one playoff contender in its final three games.
Sitting Pretty
Four teams are in good position to clinch a playoff spot with one more win or a loss by another contending team. Staples (12-4) began the season at 10-0, but went 2-4 over a recent six-game stretch. It bounced back in a big way last week, crushing Wilton and handing St. Joseph its second loss. The Wreckers could still take the top seed with tiebreaker advantages over St. Joe's and McMahon but could fall to as far as sixth having lost to New Canaan and Danbury.
Danbury (11-4) could be a sleeper team to upset the field, having beaten Staples and McMahon. The Hatters have made just one FCIAC finals appearance in school history, winning it all in 2003.
New Canaan (10-5) holds the five spot with a tiebreaker advantage over Fairfield Warde (10-5). The Rams and the Mustangs are two of the hottest teams in the conference and are looking to improve their seedings.
Tied Up
Three teams are tied as Norwalk, Wilton and Greenwich have identical 9-6 records. Norwalk, picked by many before the season to win the league, has struggled to stay consistent. The Bears take on town rival McMahon on Monday but then face two teams eliminated from the playoff hunt in their final two games.
The final spot will likely be decided Wednesday when Wilton hosts Greenwich at 4:15 p.m. The Cardinals began the season 0-4 but have rebounded to stay in the race. The Warriors went on a mid-season seven-game winning streak but have stumbled as of late, losing three of their last four games.
On the Outside Looking In
Trumbull (8-8), defending FCIAC champion Fairfield Ludlowe (7-8), Ridgefield (7-8), and Trinity Catholic (7-8) all have work to do to qualify for the playoffs. All other FCIAC teams have been mathematically eliminated.
Some of the best baseball in the state is in store this week and Main Street Connect will keep you updated down to the final out (and for postponements) on our websites and through Twitter.
Which teams do you think will make the FCIAC playoffs? Who will win it all? Start the discussion below!
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