Perry, a state semifinalist in 1998, won that game 5-0 and needs a win Wednesday to earn a fourth straight trip to the regional. Riverdale's opponent at Patrick Henry is also tournament-tested, with Ottawa Hills advancing to the state tournament just a few years ago. And at Lima Bath, Elmwood faces one of the state's dynamic baseball programs. Under legendary coach Lou Brunswick, Coldwater made seven trips to the state tournament, winning four titles. Before retiring, Brunswick won over 1,500 games coaching high school, ACME and Legion ball.
Elmwood enters the district finals as one of the more experienced teams in the field.
Reiser returned eight seniors this season from a team that went 20-6 a year. He's also one of the Royals' top pitchers, along with Scott Kromer, Andy Inkrott and Jeff Hiser. Miller City is led by senior Dusty Pester and junior Mark Burkhart. Pester is hitting .391 with 4 homers and 26 RBI and is 7-3 with a 1.53 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 59 inning pitched. Randy Gerschutz leads the Wildcats with 7 doubles and 29 RBI, while Andy Schnipke and Scott Niese have driven in 16 runs each.