The Division 2 District Baseball Tournament has another strong field.

Niles is hosting the event and will be one of the favorites, but you cannot count out Edwardsburg or Paw Paw.

The Eddies (22-7) and the Vikings (22-11) split a regular season doubleheader. Edwardsburg dropped a 4-3 decision to Paw Paw in the Wolverine Conference Tournament.

The Eddies have a solid pitching staff, led by Dalton Raymond (5-1, 35 strikeouts) and Garrett Bronkema (4-2, 58 strikeouts).

Offensively, Jesse Reinebold is hitting .400 with 21 RBIs. Jackson Gaideski is hitting .346 with three triples and 17 RBIs, while Dylan Hulett is hitting .338.

“We will need to play good defense, throw strikes and have timely hitting to beat Paw Paw,” Edwardsburg coach A.J. Gaideski said. “The team that gets hot at the right time will come out on top in the other game.”

Edwardsburg and Paw Paw will play the opening semifinal at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Niles will count on its pitching when it takes on Dowagiac in the second semifinal.

Niles will chose between Tate Brawley, Cody Thornton and Wyatt Thornton against the Chieftains.

Offensively, the Vikings have plenty of weapons.

Niles is led by catcher Connor Glick, who is hitting .454 with 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 27 RBIs. Niles will also look to Brawley, who is hitting .472 with 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 21 RBIs as well as Taylor Weldy, who is hitting .378 with 14 doubles, four triples and 22 RBIs.

“For us to beat Dowagiac, we need to get a solid deep outing from our starting pitcher,” Niles coach Mike Vota said. “We need to limit the ‘freebie’ runners on walks and errors. The top of our line up has got to get on base and set the stage. We cannot strand runners in scoring position.”

Vota said he doesn’t know who will come out of the other semifinal. He has not seen Paw Paw this season and his team’s entire focus will be the first game against Dowagiac.

The Chieftains eliminated Niles from the district last year.

Dowagiac and Niles did not meet this season.

The Chieftains have struggled through much of the year and will need to play one of their best games of the season to advance to the district finals.

“Being mentally prepared to play great defense will help us beat Niles,” first-year Dowagiac coach Dan Schuchardt said. “In games this year where we made the routine plays our confidence grew. I think Edwardsburg beats out Paw Paw because of their great pitching.”

The Chieftain pitching staff is led by Matt Smith, who was 4-3 with an ERA of 2.65. Smith had 43 strikeouts against just 20 walks.

Offensively for the Chieftains, Dean Klann hit .378 with 16 RBIs, while Smith hit .366 with 21 RBIs. Austin Broda hit .305 with nine doubles, a home run and a team-high 26 RBIs.

The finals are scheduled for 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and no league passes will be accepted.