While the boys are still fighting for a baseball playoff spot, the Arcadia Titans softball team has all but locked up a postseason berth. The Lady Titans currently rank seventh in the AIA power rankings.

The team is 7-5 in regular season play, 4-4 within the 4A East Sky division.

With six games left in the season, the girls still have a chance to improve their playoff position, though. A win over second-ranked Seton Catholic next Thursday would definitely improve the team’s ranking.

The Titans are led by senior centerfielder Jessica Whitis and junior left fielder Brandi Heimburg. Whitis has hit three homeruns and collected 12 RBI on the season. Heimburg has one big fly and 13 RBI. Both players are hitting over .500 on the season.

ATH for Wednesday:

If the Arizona 4A-II baseball playoffs started today, the Arcadia Titans would be out of the picture. But with a strong finish to the season, the Titans can play themselves back into contention.

In order to qualify for the state playoffs, a team must place in the top 16 in the AIA power rankings. The rankings are based on a power-points system, where each team is awarded a certain number of points based on victories and the strength of their opponents.

With a big win over Higley yesterday, Arcadia moved up from 25 to 21 in the rankings and put itself within striking distance of a playoff spot.

Desert Edge currently holds the last playoff spot with a power point average of 52.889. The Titans have an average of 47.2222 points and will have to win as many as six of their last eight games in order to have a serious chance at qualifying for the playoffs.

With the cluster of teams fighting for the 16th spot, Arcadia’s recently rescheduled game against rival Coronado could take on added meaning. The number-14 Dons will face Arcadia in the last game of the regular season on May 4.

Despite the rivalry, the game will only hold more significance to the Titans if they are still in the playoff hunt, said head coach Ken Rudolph.

ATH for Monday:

Diamondbacks centerfielder Chris Young’s red-hot start to the 2010 season should leave an impression on young ballplayers all around the Valley, but not in the way most fans would assume.

Young has clubbed three homers in six games this season and leads the league with 11 RBI. However, kids should not be taking note of his approach at the plate. It is his heart and ability to overcome adversity that should attract their attention.

While the young Dback’s recent success is fresh in our minds, the memories of his awful 2009 campaign still linger. We cannot forget the .212 batting average or the August demotion to Triple-A.

No one is immune to a slump. Even Albert Pujols. It is important to let young athletes know that everyone hits a rough patch every now and then, and it is how they recover from it that matters.

Above and beyond all of the hullabaloo we lump onto it, baseball is a game. It is meant to be enjoyed. When it turns into a chore, there is a problem.

Despite all of his struggles and the Triple-A sized assault on his ego, Young took his hits in stride and used the opportunity to improve. Fans did not hear Young gripe about the situation last season. They saw a player who worked his way back onto the big-league roster and hit eight homers in his final 31 games.

After an impressive Spring Training, Young’s hard work continues to pay off so far this year. Sure, he still swings at pitches outside of the zone and has more than a little trouble with the breaking pitch, but we can rest assured he is working on it.

While parents constantly worry about the athletes their children emulate, both parent and child need to make sure players like Young – people who can take life’s punches and roll with them – are not overlooked.

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