By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
This morning, two out of eight teams began play in the Michigan Senior Baseball State Tournament behind held at Russom Fields in Dowagiac.
District 5 champion Melvindale took on District 6 champion Harper Woods in the opening game of the tournament at 9 a.m.
In the second game, District 2 champion Eastwood faced District 1 champion Midland.
The tournament continues this afternoon at 3 p.m. with District 10 champion Gladstone facing District 8 champion West Branch.
District 15 champion Dowagiac, the host team, will conclude play this evening at 6 when it faces District 9 champion Grand Rapids Southern.
The tournament continues on Saturday with consolation bracket games scheduled for 9 a.m. and noon. The championship quarterfinals will be played at 3 and 6 p.m.
Sunday will be consolation bracket day as three games are scheduled.
The tournament will open up with the consolation quarterfinals at noon and 3 p.m. and the semifinals at 6 p.m.
On Monday the championship semifinals will be played at 3 p.m. with the consolation finals set for 6 p.m.
On Tuesday the state champion will be crowned.
The first championship game is set for 3 p.m. with a second game, if necessary, set for 6 p.m.
Each team won district or sectional titles to reach the state tournament in Dowagiac.
Here is a brief look at all of the teams who are playing this weekend:
District 1
Midland is an All-Star team which is led by pitcher Brian Kaufman and catcher Ben Struble. The team's top hitter is Thomas A'Hearn. Travis Beck hit a grand slam in sectional play to help propel Midland to the state tournament.
District 2
Eastwood is also an All-Star team which has given up just one earned run in the tournament.
Jeremy Followell and David Oliphant will handle most of the pitching duties for Eastwood, which is from the Comstock area.
Top hitters include Ryan Mayne and Brandon Rickstad.
District 5
Melvindale is a summer baseball team which is 28-0 on the season.
The All-Stars edged Rosedale 1-0 on a suicide squeeze in the fourth inning of the sectional championship game.
Joey Vance will get the start today for Melvindale with Mike Nasceif behind the plate. Top hitters include Thomas Roberts, Phil Wolan and Mark Wolan. Melvindale has seven players hitting .500 or better.
District 8
West Branch is a summer baseball team which is 22-1 on the season.
Top pitcher is Troy Lambert, who has been the squad's No. 1 pitcher since he was eight-years-old.
Other top pitchers are Ricky Dodridge and Kyle Wangler, who also is the team's short stop.
District 9
Grand Rapids Southern is an All-Star team which draws its players from East Grand Rapids High School, Grand Rapids Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Matt Malewitz will get the start tonight against Dowagiac.
Top hitters include Zach Lewis, Luke Glendening and Danny Norton.
District 10
Gladstone made the long trip from the upper peninusla, but the team is more than ready.
Gladstone played three extra inning games just to reach the state tournamnet.
Gladstone lost in 11 innings, and won back-to-back eight inning games to take the sectional title.
The team is led by pitcher Kevin Thompson, catcher Elloit Verhagen and shortstop Cory Murray.
District 15
Dowagiac played its way into the tournament by winning the district championship over Lawton.
Dowagiac is a summer baseball team which is 30-1-1 on the season.
Jake Cox will get the start tonight against Grand Rapids.
Other top players include Nick File, Jordan Huey and Kyle Prak, who is the squad's leading hitter.
District 6
Harper Woods coaches were unavailable at press time to comment on their squad.
Tournament results will be posted at the conclusion of play each day at www.dowagiacnews.com