RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers have their work cut out for them. 

Entering spring break this week, the Lancers (9-8-1 overall, 5-5 Metro League at press time) find themselves one game back of Antelope (9-8 overall, 6-4 Metro League) for third place in the Metro League. With the top three teams in league earning spots in the upcoming CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Division II Sac Joaquin Section playoffs, the Lancers have a clear road map of what they must do to make the postseason. 

West Park (15-4 overall, 9-1 Metro League), McClatchy (15-3 overall, 8-2 Metro League) and Antelope currently sit atop the standings, and the Lancers will face each league rival once more down the stretch of the regular season beginning on April 21, when they host McClatchy at Peterson Field with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. 

As it stands, the Lancers split their season series with Antelope during the first week of April and the rubber match scheduled for April 28 at Antelope looms large. With league record being the deciding factor, that game might very well determine whether the Lancers will advance to the postseason when it is all said and done. Cordova will also face Kennedy and Grant prior to that matchup, and as long as they take care of business, they will have a shot at obtaining the tiebreaker over Antelope. 

Last week, the Lancers lost both games against first-place West Park by a combined score of 17-2 in both contests but they are not letting that discourage them. Head coach Scott Ahlstrom and his team see the bigger picture and have their sights set on that third-place spot. 

"It doesn't matter what happened against McClatchy last time, or against West Park the last two games," Ahlstrom said following their 6-1 loss at home against West Park on April 11. "If we beat Kennedy, Grant and Antelope, we're in the playoffs."