The District 3 Little League playoffs are now in full swing and involves five Cochrane teams.

The Cochrane Crush Senior Boys tier 1 team won their first two games of the playoffs, after topping the standings in their division. That included a close home game matchup on June 18 against the Airdrie Aces that saw the Crush rally back from an early 2-0 deficit to open up a lead late in the game to win, 10-5. In their opening game they downed Sunridge, 14-3.

The Crush are home against the Bowridge Boys on June 22 in their final game in their pool and a win will ensure them of a berth in the championship game, June 26. The Boys finished second to the Crush in the regular season and handed them their only loss of the season.

Post-season play brings out the best in all the teams and anything can happen in a one-game showdown, says seniors head coach Paul Vaillancourt.

"I've been in playoffs for the last four years and come playoff time it's anyone's game," says Vaillancourt. "It's tough because it's one game and you could lose to anyone."

But it's also great ball to watch.

"The teams have been improving, the baseball now is really good. The Friday night game in Sunridge was a great game and today (June 18) was a really good game. There were a couple of mental errors by the fellows but it was pretty good baseball. good pitching, great hitting and it was fun to watch."

Airdrie had a 2-0 lead after the first two innings until the Crush bats came to life and they went ahead 3-2. Airdire tied it up and it stayed that way until the Crush had a four run breakout inning to storm ahead. Even then the game remained close. The Crush were able to get out of two innings where the Aces loaded the bases and two double plays helped to keep Airdrie off the scoreboard.

"Really, it could have gone either way," says Vaillancourt. "I think they stranded six runners and we stranded eight."

As part of their post game celebration, the Crush players went into the stands to shake hands with fans and thank them for their support.

The high ranked Junior tier 2 Crush lost their opening game of the playoffs, 11-8, on the road against Calgary East and they'll get their chance for redemption on June 20 at home against Foothills.

There's a longer slate of teams in intermediate ball and Cochrane has three teams in the vying. Cochrane 1 has a 1-1 record, losing their first game to the Northwest Canons 17-4 and beating the Bow Ridge Royals in a close one at home, 16-4. Cochrane 2 won their first game against Foothills 23-20. Cochrane 3 lost their opening game, 14-2, against the North West Vipers.  Matchups contine throughout the week and among them are two games in Cochrane on June 24 that includes Cochrane 2 and 3 facing off against each other.

Intermediate playoffs continue until the end of the month with the championship game going June 30.