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The 2019 West Virginia High School Baseball season is entering the home stretch this upcoming week in the Mountain State. As a part of our coverage, today we start a series of articles looking at the match up's in each classification. Here is a look at the semi-final games and projected match up's for the upcoming state tournament:

Friday - 10:00 a.m.   #1 Moorefield (25-11) vs. #4 Huntington Saint Joseph's (21-10) 

What you need to know:

Moorefield is looking to defend their 2018 title. The Yellow Jackets bring a 25-11 record into the state tournament. With a strong core of young players they have cemented themselves as the favorites to take home the title in 2019. The Yellow Jackets will look to Hayden Baldwin, Isaac Vanmeter, Blake Watts, and Brent Moran among others to continue their winning ways. 

Probable Starter: RHP Isaac Vanmeter  (7-0) - .70-ERA - 66K's - 50 Innings

Vanmeter is a long, lanky strike thrower. He won't over power you, but leverages his size well to create tough angles for hitters. If Vanmeter is in the zone (which he has been all season), then he will be tough to hit.

St. Joe's is making their first state tournament appearance in 31 years. The Irish bring a 21-10-1 record into the state tournament. They will rely heavily Lenny Washington, Hunter Eplin, Cory Sweeney, and Connor Joseph if they're going to knockoff the Yellow Jackets. 

Probable Starter: RHP Lenny Washington (6-3) - 2.46 ERA - 80K's -  48 1/3 Innings

Washington has swing and miss stuff. His 85-88 mph fastball looks faster when you're in the box. If Lenny brings his A stuff to Charleston, it could create a serious problem for Moorefield.

Friday - 50 minutes after  #2 Charleston Catholic (26-8) vs. #3 Wheeling Central Catholic (22-8)

What you need to know: 

Charleston Catholic is looking to avenge last seasons loss to Moorefield. The Irish bring a 21-9 record into the tournament. Head coach Bill Mehle is no stranger to the bright light's of the state tournament. Charleston Catholic is hitting .374 as a team and will look to stay hot against the Maroon Knights.

Probable Starter: RHP Marshall Pile (6-2) 1.75 ERA - 55K's - 44 Innings

Pile stands at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds. His ability to throw strikes (3 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio) gives him a real advantage is a game like this. Hitters don't see the ball very well out of his hand as oppenents are hitting only .220 off him. 

Wheeling Central Catholic brings a 19-9 record into the state tournament. The Maroon Knights and veteran skipper Bo McConnaughy are no stranger themselves to Power Park. Central will look to leaders Sonny Peluchette and Avery Lee among others as they look to knock off the Irish. 

Probable Starter: RHP Kaden Yocum - No stats were available

Yocum stands at 6-foot-3 and 210-pounds. In the one outing we saw this season, he was was able to keep hitters off balance mixing his fastball with a solid off speed pitch.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
2019 West Virginia Top Prospect Games	WV	06/11	Frank Loria Field
Central West Virginia Summer Kickoff Showcase	WV	06/26	Sue Morris Complex
Parkersburg College Prospect Showcase	WV	07/09	Bennett Stump Field - City Park
Eastern Panhandle College Prospect Showcase	WV	07/16	Potomac State College
West Virginia Deep South College Prospect Showcase	WV	07/24	Linda K Epling Stadium
Junior Future Games	NATIONAL	07/30	LakePoint

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