Streaky.
    The Cyprus Pirates have been anything but consistent this season - case in point is their four-game winning streak through Monday. They've had four different winning or losing streaks this season. The worst came in the preseason, where the Pirates dropped five straight. The best has come via its current streak. At 9-1, they are within one game of Murray, but more importantly have secured a playoff spot for the second straight year.
    If Brandi Lovato (17 strikeouts against Highland last week) can stay dominant in the circle, the Pirates should generate enough offense (7.4 per game) to be competitive this weeks first round of playoff games.
   
    Bingham
   
    Coach Mikki Jackson said Region 3 is the best softball group in the state. And after last week's action, it's difficult to argue that point. Clearly the best team in state, then-undefeated Bingham had a stutter step against West Jordan last week, falling 1-0 at home.
    It probably didn't come as a surprise to Jackson as she said that, from top-to-bottom, anyone can beat anyone in this region. The loss did however erase any undefeated hopes they may have had. Jackson thought it would be important to finish undefeated solely for the purpose of winning its own region.
    "One loss could hurt us," she said.
    It almost did.
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Riverton pulled even in the standings at 5-1, putting a No. 1 seed come playoff time up for grabs. But the Miners quickly dispelled any inclination of a breakdown as they regrouped and defeated the Silver Wolves the following game, 6-3. Tori Almond got the win in seven innings of work, and smacked a two-run home run in the fourth inning. In addition to securing the region title and a top seed in next week's playoffs, a message was sent to would-be opponents: Bingham is still the team to beat.
   
    Taylorsville
   
    Its 15-0 shellacking of both Skyline and Hillcrest respectively last week secured yet another Warriors region title with a week to go in the season. It's something the Warriors have grown accustomed to. Whether it was against Region 3 or current Region 2 foes, Taylorsville simply dominates prep softball. This marks their eighth consecutive title.
   
    Hunter
   
    Coach Brandi Pickett said last month that we'll know where the Wolverines stand after facing Bingham and Riverton in back-to-back games.
    Although they ended up losing both games, it doesn't dismiss Hunter as a formidable foe. A factor being Hunter's abilities to score runs (6.6 per game) and keep foes at bay (3.2 allowed).
    Ace Saphina Butler is the key to how deep Hunter can go in the playoffs.
    At times, Butler is brilliant. Like her 14-strikeout performance against American Fork earlier this season, they Wolverines will need similar results to make a run in mid-May.
   
   Key number
    20
    Hits Copper Hills belted out during its 9-8 win over Kearns last week. Sophomore Mackenzy Derrick delivered a grand slam, five RBIs, and a game-winning walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth to avoid a Cougar upset win.
   
   Player of the Week
    Julianne Tialavea, West Jordan
    The junior pitched a gem last week in West Jordan's shocking 1-0 win over then No. 1 Bingham. Tialavea went the seven-inning distance, not only containing Class 5A's third-most prolific offense, but shutting it down on the road.