Eighteen teams face an extra game in the class 1A high school baseball tournament when nine pigtail games open the post season Saturday night. Two of the teams getting an early start are ranked in the Radio Iowa/ Coaches poll. Top ranked Mason City Newman opens against Riceville in Manly. The Knights are part of a tough district that also includes second rated Lansing Kee.
Seventh ranked Alta opens the tournament tonight Storm Lake St. Marys. The Cyclones finished the regular season 26-5. Alta coach Jerry Braunschweig says pitching is a major part of tournament success.
Braunschweig says these two teams have already met this season and he says it’s scary to face a team a third time. Alta won both regular season matchups.