By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

The Dekalb County Baseball Tournament is something baseball fans look forward to all year long.  It's like Christmas in April to many. This year the tournament will be held at Collinsville, beginning this Friday night.

The first game between No. 4 Geraldine Bulldogs (8-12) and the No. 5 Fyffe Red Devils (10-7) will begin at 5 p.m.  Geraldine defeated Fyffe in regular season play on February 26, 5-3.  The Fyffe Red Devils have improved and will give the Bulldogs a run for their money.  Geraldine is coming off a devastating loss to Sand Rock.  They have something to prove.  This game should be a thriller.  My prediction is Fyffe will win by 1.

No 3 Collinsville Panthers (13-9) will face the No. 6 Sylvania Rams (14-14) at 7 p.m.  Sylvania defeated Collinsville twice on March 12.  Will the Collinsville Panthers be seeking redemption? Without a doubt.  If Sylvania will keep their head on straight, I predict the Rams will have a 3-time victory over the Collinsville Panthers.

On Saturday, the No 2. Crossville Lions (10-8) will face No. 7 Ider Hornets (6-11)at 12 p.m.  Crossville defeated Ider on February 20, 14-3.  Ider has struggled a little this season. I predict Crossville will win again 10-4.

No. 1 Plainview (10-8) will face the winner of the Geraldine/Fyffe game at 2 p.m.  I think the Bears want to give new Head Coach Johnson his first County Tournament win and will easily advance on to the final game at 6 p.m.

The semi-final game will be held at 4 p.m. between the winners of the Collinsville/Sylvania game and the Crossville/Ider game.  I am going with my gut feeling on this one and I predict that Sylvania will pull off the win to face Plainview at 6 p.m.

My prediction on the championship game? Honey, a lady has to be a little mysterious. Join me on the bleachers and we will talk ball and maybe a little about fashion…