CLASS 1A 10 a.m.
Parkers Prairie (25-2) vs. Legacy Christian Academy (21-4)
Why Parkers Prairie will win: Experience and unfinished business drive the Panthers. They lost in the title game last June and don't want to be denied again. "We've always said, 'It ain't over 'til it's over,' " senior Andrew Johnson said. "Yogi Berra – we quote him plenty in our dugout."
Why Legacy Christian will win: Clutch hitting served the Lions well in both state tournament games. Legacy Christian, located in Andover, scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of the quarterfinals and scored twice in the top of the seventh to provide the winning runs in the 1A semifinals.
Key to watch: Legacy Christian has committed two errors in each state tournament game, while Parkers Prairie has played error-free baseball thus far. But the Lions have drawn 14 walks, three more than the Panthers. Patient, precise baseball usually wins games.
Did you know? Legacy Christian (formerly Meadow Creek) makes its championship game debut. Parkers Prairie is making the 145-mile drive southeast on Interstate 94 to Target Field for the second consecutive June. The Panthers hope to avenge a 4-2 loss to Springfield in 11 innings last season.
DAVID La VAQUE
