MAAA Baseball Tournament Semi-Finals Preview

The MAAA baseball tournament semifinals are slated to take place today (Wednesday) after moving up a day to avoid Thursday’s expected inclement weather. The top-seeded Ste. Genevieve Dragons will host both semifinal games and face the Farmington Knights in the #1 vs. #4 matchup. Ste. Genevieve grabbed a 9-0 shutout against Fredericktown to advance to this round and is now 16-4 overall. Dragons coach Mike McDaniel says he has confidence in his lineup at this stage of the season.

A re-vitalized Farmington team defeated Arcadia Valley 16-6 on Monday in the quarterfinals, improving to 9-13. Knights coach Scott Hibbits says his team has gotten better in all areas.

The two teams have split two earlier head-to-head matchups this year.

The second semi-final game will feature a battle of the counties as #2 North County takes on #6 West County. The North County Raiders impressed in their quarterfinal game on Monday, defeating Potosi 15-13.

The West County Bulldogs have been just as potent offensively, and have some added momentum being the only team to have had to win two games to reach the semi-finals. Over their two district victories, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 20-0.

Bulldogs head coach John Simily says he expects the game against the Raiders to be a hard fought battle, as it often is, and whichever team can play the cleanest game should have the best chance to win.

It was a 4-3 10-inning victory for the Raiders over the Bulldogs in their lone matchup this season back in March.

Coverage of the MAAA baseball tournament semifinals will start with the Flieg’s Equipment Pregame Show at 3:45 this afternoon. First pitch for the first game between Ste. Genevieve and Farmington is scheduled for 4 p.m. with North County and West County to follow.