All four regional championship teams have the opportunity to repeat this season in Western B, C and D, and in Eastern A.

But a number of teams hope to alter that history as the softball tournaments go into in full swing this week.

Skowhegan, Greely, Madison and Richmond all have the chance to defend their regional crowns. Richmond was the only club of that group to win a state title.

Eastern A

Cony and Skowhegan appear to be the teams to beat and could be on a collision course for the Eastern A crown.

If it weren’t for two late season losses by the Rams, Cony might be looking like a clear favorite, but the defending champs from Skowhegan are a proven team and should give the Rams a challenge.

Bangor and Oxford Hills have shown they can compete with and even beat the likes of Cony and Skowhegan. Brewer has its share of playoff success as well. Though Edward Little draws a game at Skowhegan, the Red Eddies played the Indians tough there last year and have the potential to put it all together this time of year.

I think the top four seeds will advance. Though Bangor and Oxford Hills will be tough outs for the higher seeds, I look for Skowhegan and Cony to meet in the final. With a trophy on the line, the championship game could go either way. It’s a tough call, but Cony get the nod on its home field.

Western B

Cape Elizabeth stormed through its regular season and posted its first-ever unbeaten season. The Capers appear poised to reach the regional final after losing in the semifinal last year to Greely.

Greely should advance out of the No. 5 spot, and watch out for Wells in third. Lincoln Academy is a bit of an unknown coming out of the KVAC B. Lake Region could give them a challenge in the quarterfinals.

Wells should reach the championship game but doesn’t have the talent or experience to topple the Capers.

Western C

Only one team has defeated Madison this season. The defending regional champs should be a threat to repeat, but the Bulldogs will have some tough competition.

The rest of the Western C field is pretty formidable. It is a deep collection of talented teams that are only separated by a loss and a handful of Heal points. There should be some pretty good playoff matchups all the way around in this tourney.

Start with the prelims. Not many teams seeded 10th go into the tourney with great confidence. Lisbon is playing well and has already toppled No. 7 Monmouth once. Maranacook and Carrabec could be a nail-biter, while Sacopee Valley could give Mountain Valley a handful.

The quarterfinals will feature a rematch of last year’s semifinal between Telstar and Dirigo. The Cougars beat the Rebels earlier in the year and Telstar beat Madison.

If Telstar was in another bracket, the Rebels would be a favorite to reach the final. The Rebels have the pitching and the experience to go far. They’ll have to beat Dirigo and Madison to do it.

In the other bracket, Winthrop and Hall-Dale could meet in the semifinals. The Ramblers won the regular season meeting, 5-1. My hunch is that Winthrop advances to the regional final and gets another crack at Madison. The Bulldogs experience in the big game will inevitably prove too much.

Western D

If this is a down year for Richmond, most D teams might not want to see them in future seasons. The Bobcats graduated a wealth of talent and experience and don’t return any seniors. Yet, the Bobcats dominated during the regular season.

That shouldn’t change in the tourney.

Searsport is a bit of mystery. They played a tough schedule full of Eastern C and D teams. They’ll have to get by a solid Buckfield club first but the Vikings might be able to give the Bobcats a scare.

Greenville will have to get past Rangeley and then play at Vinalhaven. Those two teams split late in the regular season.

Look for Richmond to return to the regional final again. My guess is Vinalhaven beats the Lakers on the island to earn the shot at the Bobcats in the regional final. Though the Vikings have improved since the early season losses to Richmond, the Bobcats will still be too much in the championship setting.