The Fatima Comets look like they are going to get tested today to start bracket play in the baseball postseason.
Fatima (17-12) will take on third-ranked Centralia (26-1) in the Class 3 state sectional round at Lions Field in Westphalia. Game time is 5 p.m.
The Comets have an edge in postseason experience against the Panthers. Fatima is the defending Class 3 state champion, while this is the first district title for Centralia in more than two decades.
Fatima won the District 8 Tournament title last week at Belle. The second-seeded Comets rolled past third-seeded Dixon 16-0 in the semifinals of the six-team tournament before upending top-seeded Belle 5-0 in the title game.
The Comets are 9-3 in their past 12 games, giving up three runs or fewer in eight of those contests. Fatima has thrown six shutouts this season, with four of them coming its past 12 contests.
Centralia won the five-team District 7 Tournament played last week at Hermann. Centralia defeated fifth-seeded Hermann 8-1 in the semifinals before posting a 7-2 win against second-seeded North Callaway to win the title.
Centralia has had a potent offense this season, averaging 10.4 runs per game. The Panthers’ opponents are scoring just 2.7 runs per contest. Fatima is outscoring its opponents by an average of 5.7-4.6 runs per game.
Centralia’s only loss was an 8-1 decision March 30 at home against Clark County. The Panthers have scored in double figures in 14 of their 22 games since that loss.
The Panthers were No. 3 in the final state rankings by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, while Comets were No. 9.
The Fatima-Centralia winner will take on the winner of the sectional game between second-ranked Duchesne (25-4) and Macon (10-16). With a win, Fatima would either host Macon or play at Duchesne in St. Charles in the state quarterfinals. Thursday.