Top games: March 31-April 5

Mid-Penn division play begins this week with some high-profile matchups. This is the first week that teams can take the first step to claiming a division title and securing a spot in the Mid-Penn Conference Tournament in May. Last season two area teams, Red Land and Camp Hill, made the conference tournament but bowed in the first round.

Here's a look at the best games as the calendar turns to April:

Susquehanna Twp. at West Perry, Monday, 4:15 -- Here's a curveball. After wetting your appetites talking about division play, we throw a non-division encounter at you. Both teams come into this one 3-0; the Mustangs fresh off winning the Perry Counter Tournament. Problem is, West Perry committed 10 errors over two games. It can't do that against a Township side that beat defending Mid-Penn Commonwealth champ Red Land on opening day.

Red Land at Cumberland Valley, Tuesday, 4 -- Here's a division game for you. Expect CV ace Jeremy Shepps (1-0) to be on the hill but the question is, who will the Patriots trot out? The likely choice is hard-throwing right-hander K.C. Beshore (1-1), who tossed a complete-game against Mechanicsburg a week prior. Another question: How much of a role, if any, will reigning All-Sentinel Player of the Year Kyle Otstot play?

Big Spring at Susquenita, Tuesday, 4 -- The Bulldogs are riding high after a win over rival Boiling Springs last week. This game will tell a lot as to the direction either team will go. A win for Susquenita and the Blackhawks are even at 2-2. A win for Big Spring sends the 'Dawgs to 2-0 and expectations start to grow.

Cumberland Valley at Cedar Cliff, Thursday, 4 -- Two late-inning rallies against Hershey and Carbondale late last week kept the Colts perfect at 4-0. Now they get an even bigger test against CV. This game will show how much the young Cedar Cliff pitching staff has grown. On offense, leadoff hitter Eric Ort's and catcher Kasey Cooper's bats have warmed up, a good sign for the Colts.

Carlisle at Mechanicsburg, Saturday, 2 -- The first three games, all losses, were nothing short of a recurring nightmare for the Thundering Herd. An anemic offense and a pitching staff searching for a reliable arm or two has left Carlisle searching for an answer. Before the Herd can focus on Mechanicsburg, they have Commonwealth tests against Central Dauphin (Tuesday) and Red Land (Thursday). Win just one of those two and the confidence rises. On the other side, Mechanicsburg (1-1) has difficult Keystone tests at Palmyra and against Gettysburg this week. The winner might be the first to double digits.