DELAWARE — Hayes High School waited 20 years for a district softball championship.
The Pacers don’t plan on such a lengthy hiatus this time around.
Fresh off its fourth straight Ohio Capital Conference Capital Division title, Hayes earned the No. 4 seed in Sunday’s Division I tournament draw.
The Pacers (17-4) will host No. 15 Lakewood in the district semifinals at 5 p.m. May 18.
Hayes reached the regional tournament for the first time since 2005 last spring. The Pacers fell to Grove City 5-3 in the regional semifinals.
Third-seeded Olentangy (19-5) also is looking for a second straight trip to the Sweet 16. The Braves will host No. 26 Newark at 5 p.m. May 18.
Olentangy fell to Lancaster 4-3 in last year’s regional semifinals.
No. 18 Orange (8-11) will host No. 19 Groveport Madison at 5 p.m. May 18.
No. 16 Liberty (9-12) will entertain No. 17 Berlin (12-13) at 5 p.m. May 18.
Division II
Big Walnut earned the No. 4 seed in the Division II tournament draw.
The Golden Eagles (16-7) will host No. 13 Northland at 5 p.m. May 19.
Division IV
Buckeye Valley earned the No. 3 seed in the Division IV draw.
The Barons (19-4) took an opening-round bye and will play either No. 4 London or No. 5 Highland at 5 p.m. May 19 at a site to be determined.
