SEC baseball, softball heading up

The Southeast Conference has long been competitive in both baseball and softball. This year is just the same.

As the regular season continues to truck along in both summer sports and postseason play draws ever closer, SEC conference victories become even more important.

Fairfield’s Hannah Simpson scoops up a throw to first during the Trojans’ two-game sweep of Washington on June 9, 2022. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

This week alone, there are contests that have big implications on the SEC standings.

On the boys’ side, Fairfield (12-11, 7-5) currently sits the highest in the standings of the Union area teams.

The Trojans had a tough start to the season, but have been playing well as of late.

On Monday, Fairfield split with second-place Fort Madison (12-6, 9-4). They now sit just two games out from the Bloodhounds.

Fairfield will have a tough test on Thursday, as they will look to take down first place Burlington (17-4, 10-1) in a conference doubleheader. Two win would put Fairfield in great position for the top of the league.

Mt. Pleasant’s Payton Hagans slides safely into third base during the Panthers’ Game 1 win over Washington on June 2, 2022. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

Mt. Pleasant (6-12, 5-9) follows Fairfield in fourth-place.

The Panther most recently split with Washington (5-11, 3-9) on Monday. A pair of wins would have brought them to within one game of the Trojans.

Thursday, Mt. Pleasant will take on fifth-place Keokuk (8-12, 4-10) in an SEC doubleheader. Should the Panthers win a pair and Fairfield drops its two, Mt. Pleasant will move into a tie for third in the league.

Washington’s Lauren Hinrichsen hits the ball for Washington on June 8, 2022 against the Burlington Grayhounds. Hinrichsen and the Demons were defeated in both games. (Hunter Moeller/The Union)

Sixth-place Washington has a big chance to make some noise in the conference as well on Thursday.

The Demons will battle with Fort Madison in an SEC doubleheader. If everything plays out for the Demons, they could bump up to a tie for fourth.

In softball, Fairfield (16-7, 8-4) currently holds the third spot.

The Trojans took on top seeded Fort Madison (13-11, 12-2) on Monday with a great chance to steal two away, but ended up splitting with the Bloodhounds.

On Thursday, Fairfield will look to move to second in the league with two wins over Burlington (15-8, 10-3).

Washington (10-16, 7-7) struggled at the beginning of the season, but has since been on fire, winning seven of its last 10.

In their last SEC matchup on Monday, the Demons swept Mt. Pleasant (2-18, 0-14).

The Demons have had a busy week as they played Clear Creek-Amana on Tuesday and Marion on Wednesday.

Washington will take on Fort Madison Thursday. Two win would be big for the Demons, especially if Fairfield drop two against Burlington. The Demons could get to third in the conference.

Mt. Pleasant still is looking for its first SEC victory.

Wednesday night the Panther took on New London in a non-conference bout.

The Panthers will look to bounce back from two Monday night losses to Washington on Thursday, while also grabbing a pair of wins over fifth-place Keokuk (5-15, 3-10).

With just under two weeks left in the regular season, every game becomes more important as the postseason speeds closer. It’s sure to be a battle until the final regular season competition.