Dragons, Panthers are in state playoffs

Kaitlyn Brian (pictured) and the rest of the Dallas Dragons softball team will begin defense of their state title as the tournament’s number one seed. The tournament begins Tuesday. Photo by Lance Masterson.

Six teams from the Mid-Willamette Conference, including Central/Falls City, are headed to the Class 5A OSAA state softball playoffs.

Defending state champion Dallas (16-2, 24-2 overall) earned the top seed and hosts 16th seed Putnam.

The 15th-seeded Panthers (7-11, 13-13) travel to second-ranked Bend.

Silverton (seeded 3rd), Lebanon (4th), West Albany (8th) and Corvallis (10th) will also represent the conference in the playoffs.

All first round games are scheduled for Tuesday, with starting times unannounced as of Saturday night.

The tournament, which fields 16 teams, is single elimination. Second round games are on Friday.