In the midst of the horse racing triple crown, we have a couple of close races of our own in high school baseball:

Two of the four divisions in the Southern Connecticut Conference have been determined. Congratulations to both Guilford and Amity for winning the Hammonasset and Housatonic Divisions, respectively.

North Haven and Branford share a one-game lead in the Oronoque over a surging Career squad. If both North Haven and Branford win today, then their showdown on Thursday at Branford (3:45 start) will determine the champion and representative in the SCC Tournament beginning in two weeks.

Xavier can win the SCC Quinnipiac on Friday by beating Hamden at home. But if the Green Dragons pull the upset, the winner of Friday's West Haven-Notre Dame game could earn a share. That is, of course, both of those teams win today against Hamden and Fairfield Prep, respectively.

In other action, Naugatuck shutting out Woodland on Monday has tightened the top of the Naugatuck Valley League. Friday's Woodland-Seymour showdown at French Park at 3:30 could go a long way in determining that regular-season champion.