The regional semifinals get underway in earnest on Thursday evening as several series and single-game playoffs take place across the state in all classifications.  But a handful of regional semifinal games have already been played, as we make our way toward determining the Elite Eight in each class.

For the first time in any playoff round this season, Class 5A features eight best-of-three series to determine its regional finalists.  On Thursday, three of those series–Klein-Tyler Lee, Klein Collins-Belton and Houston Memorial-Brazoswood–get underway.

In Class 4A, two best-of-three series began on Wednesday.  Corpus Christi Moody defeated Lake Travis, 7-3, to take an early lead in their Region IV series.  The two teams will meet again on Friday in San Antonio.  In Region III, Friendswood defeated Port Neches-Groves in extra innings to take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 of that series is also slated for Friday in Baytown. 

Three more 4A series begin on Thursday.

Six of the eight Class 3A matchups begin on Thursday.  One best-of-three series, Abilene Wylie-Burnet, began on Wednesday with Wylie taking a 1-0 series lead by holding on for a 3-2 win in the opener.

In Class 2A, one single-game playoff (Presidio-Bangs) and five series will see action on Thursday.  On Wednesday in Lubbock, Bushland defeated Jim Ned, 8-5, to take the opening game of their best-of-three.  That series resumes Saturday.

Windthorst and Meridian got the earliest jump on the semifinal round in Class 1A, with their opening game on Tuesday night.  The Trojans, annual Region II contenders, took Game 1, 6-2, behind a complete-game effort from Travis Wolf.

The other seven 1A matchups, including a single-game playoff between Mart and LaPryor, begin Thursday.