Stretch run for baseball, softball

It’s the stretch run for the Fallon baseball and softball teams.

The Lady Wave (13-5 Northern Division I-A, 14-9 overall) are in freefall, losing five of their six, but can rebound when they visit eighth-place Sparks (2-17, 7-19) today and Saturday.

The baseball team (12-6, 14-7-1), meanwhile, can all but wrap up a playoff spot with a sweep over last-place Sparks (3-17, 6-17) this weekend. Both Fallon clubs end the regular season next week at home against South Tahoe.

For the baseball team, the series against first-place South Tahoe (13-5, 14-9) — and another sweep — could determine the No. 1 seed in the regional playoffs.

The Wave’s league title hopes hinge on winning at least five of their next six, while second-place Elko (15-6, 18-7) must lose two of three against Dayton next week. The Indians swept Fallon and have a bye this weekend, although Elko lost to Spring Creek, 6-1, on Tuesday.

Still in the chase, though, are Spring Creek (12-6, 15-8), Fernley (10-8, 14-9) and Lowry (9-9, 9-14).

Fernley and Lowry, however, battle this weekend, while Spring Creek faces a tough test with South Tahoe, but get the Vikings at home.

The following week, though, features Lowry and Spring Creek in a three-game set, while Fernley visits eighth-place Truckee (3-14, 3-19). Spring Creek currently holds a two-game lead over Fernley and are three up on Lowry.

On the softball diamond, the No. 1 seed and a fourth straight league title is likely gone for the Lady Wave. Fallon could leapfrog Fernley (15-2, 18-5) for the No. 2 seed (Fallon owns the tiebreaker) setting up a first-round playoff matchup with the defending state champs.

Fernley and Lowry (16-2, 17-5) hook up this weekend, while fifth-place Spring Creek battles South Tahoe (5-9, 6-12).

Dayton (10-8, 14-8), meanwhile, is riding hard-throwing Makalya Shadle and sits in fourth place after a 5-1 win over South Tahoe on Tuesday. The Dust Devils close the season with series against Truckee (1-13, 1-17) and Elko (7-13, 8-17).

Lowry closes the season against Spring Creek, a series the Spartans must win to keep pace with Dayton, while Fernley takes on Truckee.

The softball regional tournament is May 16-17 at South Tahoe High School, while the baseball tournament is slated for the same weekend at South Tahoe Middle School.