By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – It’s a first-place showdown.

The LaGrange and Central-Carroll softball teams are leading the way in Region 5-AAAA, and they will face off in a critical showdown today.

First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at LaGrange, and when the game is done, one of those teams will be alone in first place.

LaGrange and Central-Carroll are both 3-1 in the region, and there are a handful of teams close behind.

One of those teams is Troup, which is in a tie for second place with Chapel Hill at 3-2.

Cartersville is 2-2 in the region, Cedartown is 2-3, and Sandy Creek brings up the rear at 0-5.

Finishing first or second in the region takes on added significance this year because of the way the region tournament will be set up.

The teams that finish first and second will meet in the region-championship series, and both of those teams will be guaranteed a home date in the state tournament.

The other five teams will hold a tournament to determine the region’s other two spots in the state playoffs.

There’s plenty left to be determined in the final three weeks of the regular season, and there are some big games this week.

LaGrange will finish the week with a game at Cedartown on Thursday.

Troup, meanwhile, will have a busy week with four region games.

Troup visits Chapel Hill today before hosting Sandy Creek on Friday.

On Saturday, Troup will host a doubleheader against Cartersville, with the first game starting at noon.

In Region 5-AA, the Lady Cavaliers have only played one game, and they’re 0-1 after falling to Lamar County.

Callaway visits Heard County on Wednesday before hosting Temple on Thursday.