Are you ready for some softball postseason play?

After all, it’s only been a two-year wait, thanks to the COVID pandemic.

Thankfully, the wait is just about over.

The postseason for all IHSA “spring” sports will begin next week.

St. Anthony will enter regional action as the No. 1 seed, while Teutopolis is seeded No. 4 and Effingham No. 5 in their respective regionals.

All regional games will be played at the home of the higher seed. So as a top seed, the Lady Bulldogs will continue to play at home as long as they win. If they lose, the season is over.

That’s how it works in the postseason for every team. It’s always sudden death.

Below is a look at the respective regionals for St. Anthony, Teutopolis and Effingham.

The Lady Bulldogs are competing in the Class 1 Regional C. Their opening game will be on Thursday, June 3. They will face either Mulberry Grove or Ramsey. The game will be at 4:30 p.m. at Bulldog Field.

The winner will then face either Altamont or Beecher City/Cowden-Herrick for the regional championship. That game will be at 4:30 p.m. at the home of the higher seed.

The Lady Shoes will play in the Class 2A Regional A. They will host No. 5 seed Newton at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3. The game will be played at the T-Town softball diamond.

The winner of that contest will play for the regional title against either Marshall, Lawrenceville or top-seeded Mt. Carmel. That game will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 4. The team with the highest seed will host.

The Lady Hearts will open play in the Class 3A Regional A on Wednesday, June 2. They will play at Mattoon at 4:30 p.m. The winner of that game will travel to Charleston and face the top-seeded Lady Trojans. The championship game will start at 4:30 p.m.

Regional winners will advance to sectional play. Sectional games will be on Tuesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 10. Sites and game times will be determined after the regionals are completed.