Class 2A baseball championship preview: Perham vs. Kasson-Mantorville

Perham (18-5): The 3½-hour drive from Perham to the Twin Cities has become a familiar one for Yellowjackets fans, many of whom will be making the trek for the school's ninth state tourney this year. On the field, they are more likely to win with guts than talent. "We aren't the most talented team in the tournament," coach Hans Hanson said. The key will be to get more of what got them through the first two rounds – pitchers that throw strikes (just one walk in two games) and consistent offense top-to-bottom.

Kasson-Mantorville (24-6): After no state championships in the school's first 59 years, the KoMets could become the second team to win a title this year; the wrestlers were Class 2A champions. They have the look of a championship team with strong starting pitching, a defense that catches everything and just enough offense. More importantly, they're playing with confidence. "We say we're not playing the other team, we're playing the ball," coach Broc Threinen said. "Once it leaves their hands, it's out of their control."