Fargo South Bruins
- Coach: Donn Bryant
- Record: 22-5
- Players to watch: Max Rusch, Sr., RHP/3B (5-0, 3 saves, 1.33 ERA, .284 BA, 20 RBIs); Kyle Kingsley, Jr., RHP/3B/1B (3-1, 0.81 ERA, .327 BA, 15 RBIs); Justin Fahy, Jr., LF (.348 BA, 27 stolen bases); Brady Meyers, Sr., CF (.406 BA, 15 RBIs); Adam Erickson, Sr., RHP/1B (4-1, 1.50 ERA); Zach Noriega, Jr., RHP (4-0, 1.31 ERA); David Ernst, Fr., RHP (2-0, 1.25 ERA); Matt Achter, So., RF (.306 BA).
- Fast facts: Rusch was named East Region senior athlete of the year. ... South has a 1.53 team ERA entering the Class A state tournament. Rusch leads the team with three shutouts and 77 strikeouts. "Our strength has been our pitching and our defense," Bryant said. "Those are the top two I would take over hitting." ... The Bruins have 74 stolen bases this season. "We have speed, so that helps you a little," Bryant said. ... South beat Fargo Shanley for the East Region tournament title last Saturday in Devils Lake.
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Fargo North Spartans
- Coach: Jeff Fiechtner
- Record: 20-12
- Players to watch: Bryant Larson, Sr., RHP (5-2, 0.81 ERA); Anthony Shutz, RHP (4-2, 1.76 ERA); Ethan Schnabel, Jr., CF (.353 BA, 18 RBIs); Christian Barnum, Jr., LF (.377 BA); Zach Braaten, Jr., SS (.245 BA); John Schmidt, Jr., OF (.328 BA); Matt Fiechtner, So., DH (.265 BA); Andrew Hoffman, Jr., C (.250 BA); Andy Fiske, Sr., 2B (.325 BA); Cory Shelton, Sr., 3B (.277 BA, 10 RBIs).
- Fast facts: Fiechtner expects a balanced Class A state tournament. "I think this year is going to be kind of wild," he said. "There could be a lot of extra-inning ball games. The team that is consistent, makes plays and doesn't put guys on base free, that's the team that is going to be the team playing the last night in the last ball game." ... Schnabel leads the Spartans with 12 stolen bases. North has stolen 52 bases this season.
Fargo Shanley Deacons
- Coach: Joel Swanson
- Record: 21-10
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- Players to watch: Eric Jagim, Jr., RHP/CF (4-2, 2 saves, 0.65 ERA); Zach Frappier, Sr., LHP (8-1, 0.98 ERA); Andy Schweigert, Jr., C (.333 BA, 27 hits, 1 home run, 13 RBIs); Jordan Gefroh, So., RF (.328 BA) Lucas Fritz, Sr., RHP/2B (2-1, 2 saves, 1.88 ERA, .325 BA, 7 doubles); Mike Jones, So., SS (.321 BA, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 13 RBIs); Ethan Mathern, Sr., RHP/1B (.286 BA, 24 RBIs).
- Fast facts: Shanley finished second at the East Region tournament last weekend. "I really like our chances this weekend," Swanson said. "Jagim and Frappier are throwing exceptionally well. ... I've never in nine years at Shanley have coached a team that expects to win it." ... Swanson said the Deacons need to play solid defense to be successful. "The key for us to have a good weekend is to play good defense," Swanson said. "Our defense from time-to-time has been suspect. If we play solid defense, it will be an excellent tournament for us."
