UPDATE: Five local, area schools to open softball playoffs this week

Apr. 22—UPDATED: The Bullard-Center series has been moved forward due to an unfavorable weather forecast for Thursday. Games 1 and 2 will now be staged at Rusk High School, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. If a third game is needed, it will be played at 6 p.m. Friday at Bullard High School.

Playoff softball will take center stage on the local sports scene later this week when teams representing Jacksonville, Rusk, Bullard, Troup and Alto will open post season play with bi-district action scheduled.

The Jacksonville Fightin' Maidens (18-13) will take on Henderson (21-9) in a best-of-three series.

Games 1 and 2 will be played at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, at Rusk High School. If a Game 3 is needed, it will get under way at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, at Fightin' Maiden Field in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is the third place team from District 18-4A and the Lady Lions are representing District 17-4A as its runner-up.

Rusk's Lady Eagles (19-12-2) will go up against Gilmer (19-10-2) in a best-of-three series that will be contested at Tyler Legacy High School.

The series opener is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start Friday, with Game 2 set for 2 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is required, it will be played at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Lady Eagles are the fourth-place team out of District 18-4A. Gilmer, who will bring a 15-game winning streak into the playoffs, is the District 17-4A champion.

The District 18-champion Lady Panthers of Bullard (25-5-1) have drawn Center (10-20-1), the fourth-place team from District 17-4A, as its first round foe.

A series between the two clubs will open at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Center.

Game 2 is slated for 6 p.m. Friday at Bullard and if a third game is needed, it will take place after the completion of Game 2.

In Class 3A, Troup and Hughes Springs will settle things by playing a single game at 6 p.m. Thursday at Carthage High School. The Lady Tigers (19-8) are the third place outfit out of District 16-3A.

The Lady Mustangs (20-11-1) came in second place in District 15-3A.

Alto (17-12-1) and Beckville (24-5-2) will square off in a Class 2A best-of-three series that will open up at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Tyler High School.

Game 2 will be played at following the completion of Game 1.

Should a third game be necessary, it will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, at Tyler High.

The Lady Jackets are the fourth-place team from District 21-2A.

Beckville is the District 20-2A champion.