Northern Virginia Daily file photo New Market’s John Cable congratulates Brady Lloyd, right, after Lloyd scored after tagging up on a fly ball during fifth-inning action in 2016 at First Bank Park in Strasburg, Virginia.

The 42-game regular season played in the Valley Baseball League (Virginia) was scheduled to be completed yesterday. And the quickly-moved playoffs were right behind those final games.

The two-division league had seen the Charlottesville Tom Sox dominate regular-season action in only the team’s second year in the 11-team league.

Charlottesville had a 27-10 record through games of Friday, July 21, and had easily wrapped up first place in the South Division with fives games remaining. With four teams from each division qualifying for the playoffs, the Harrisonburg Turks with a 19-17 record and the Waynesboro Generals at 20-18 had also clinched playoff spots. The fourth team from the South Division will be Staunton’s Braves with a 17-21.

Covington, having a sub-par season, was already eliminated from the South Division post-season with its 10-26 record.

In the six-team North Division, the Purcellville Cannons led the way with a 23-14 record. Trailing the Cannons with a 21-16 record was New Market’s Rebels. After winning eight straight games, Winchester had improved its record to 19-18 and held third place. The Strasburg Express was settled in fourth place with its 18-18 record.

Facing elimination were the Front Royal Cardinals at 16-22 and the Woodstock River Bandits at 13-23. Any loss in its last six games would banish the River Bandits from the playoffs.

The division-leading Cannons completed their regular season with road games at Woodstock, Strasburg and Winchester, while playing at home at Fireman’s Field against Covington and New Market.

Whichever team survives the three rounds of the playoffs is considered the league champion for the 2017 season.