Region 1
Predicted State Qualifiers:
Central Cass
Kindred-Richland
Darkhorse:
Hankinson Co-op
Thoughts:
Central Cass and Kindred-Richland are playing as well as anyone in the state, alongside May-Port-CG from Region 2. Central Cass went 8-1 in region play, dropping an early season game to Northern Cass before running the table. Kindred-Richland went 8-2 in region play losing only to Central Cass. No other team in Region 1 has a winning region or overall record. Hankinson Co-op is the closest at 5-5 in the region and 8-9 overall. It would be quite an upset if anyone other than Central Cass and Kindred-Richland represented Region 1.
Region 2
Predicted State Qualifiers:
May-Port-CG
Thompson
Darkhorse:
Grafton
Thoughts:
May-Port-CG has a season's worth of success proving they are not only the No. 1 team in Region 2, but they are the No. 1 team in Class B heading into the postseason. A regular season sweep of Thompson solidifies them as a likely state contender. MPCG is unbeaten in region play and Thompson is 8-2 with their only losses coming to MPCG. Grafton played Thompson to a one run game this week. The two are on a collision course to play in a huge region semi-final game on Monday.
Region 3
Predicted State Qualifiers:
Renville County
Bottineau
Darkhorse:
Des Lacs-Burlington/Lewis & Clark
Thoughts:
Region 3 is extremely tight at the top between Renville County (15-2), Des Lacs-Burlington/Lewis (17-3) & Clark and Bottineau (17-2). Renville County ran the table in the region with their two losses both coming in Region 1 teams at Midseason Madness. DLBLC has lost to only two teams; Renville County and May-Port-CG (twice). Their closest victory was a one-run win over Bottineau. Speaking of Bottineau, they only have two losses; DLBCL by one and Renville County by two. DLBLC and Bottineau will likely meet in a region semi-final game and then very well may meet again in a state qualifier. I'll take DLBLC to win the first matchup and Bottineau to win the second to advance to the state tournament. it seems like a safe bet to say two of those three teams will make it to state, but which two will it be?
Region 4
Predicted State Qualifiers:
Beulah
Washburn-Center Stanton
Darkhorse:
Heart River
Velva-Drake/Anamoose
Thoughts:
Beulah went 9-0 in region play before struggling a bit down the stretch. Still, with the way the bracket shakes up, it would be hard to see a state tournament without Beulah in it. The second spot is a three-horse race between Washburn-Center Stanton, Heart River and Velva-Drake/Anamoose with Harvey Wells County eyeing a surprise run. Washburn-CS picked up regular season wins Velva-Drake/Anamoose and Heart River, though they did drop a game to Harvey Wells County. Velva-Drake/Anamoose has shown at times they can be a legitimate threat as seen in a 3-2 loss to Renville County. At the end of the day it comes down to pitching and a slight edge goes to Washburn-Center Stanton.
