By Sean Duncan

The St. Louis-metro area will be the baseball hotspot this weekend, as eight top-level teams will compete in the O’Fallon/Triad Baseball Classic. The two-day tournament features several state powers, including No. 1-ranked Harrisburg.

The Prep Baseball Report is proud to be a sponsor of the O’Fallon/Triad Baseball Classic on Friday and Saturday. Top-ranked Harrisburg (29-0) will put its undefeated record on the line when it faces Troy Triad (11-12) in the first round, setting up a possible semifinal game against No. 15 Normal West, which is on a 15-game win streak.

In the bottom half of the bracket, O’Fallon (14-9) takes on Anna-Jonesboro (22-4) while Rochester (19-6) squares off against Wentzille Holt of Missouri (15-6). Tournament host O’Fallon is currently in first place of the rugged Southwestern Conference and has finished third in state twice in the last four years.

Rochester is having another stellar season and should make a serious run in the Class 2A playoffs behind junior shortstop Blake Gand and a deep stable of pitchers. Anna-Jonesboro has been one of the biggest surprises in the Deep South this year. Last year, you may recall, Anna-Jonesboro stunned Harrisburg in the regional final of the Class 2A state tournament, effectively dashing the heavily favored Bulldogs’ state-title run.

Perhaps Anna-Jonesboro can spoil Harrisburg’s undefeated bid in the championship game of the tournament? The way the Bulldogs have steamrolled their competition this season, however, it might be unlikely. Coach Jay Thompson has arguably the most potent offense in the state, led by University of Illinois-bound SS/RHP Reid Roper. The Bulldogs also feature Southern Illinois-bound OF Kollin Dowdy, power-hitting 1B Dawson Montfort, C Noah King, not to mention one of the top juniors in the state, 3B Keelin Rasch, and arguably the state’s top freshman, INF/RHP Ryne Roper. The younger Roper has hit 6 homers and 10 doubles while going 6-0 with a 0.40 ERA on the mound.

The tournament will be held at three locations: Blazier Field in O’Fallon, O’Fallon HS and Triad HS. The championship bracket on Saturday will be at Blazier Field, with the championship game scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Today's first-round games in bracket order:

No. 1 Harrisburg (29-0) vs. Troy Triad (11-12) at Triad HS, 4:30 p.m.

No. 15 Normal West (19-5) vs. Urbana (14-8) at O’Fallon HS, 4 p.m.

Rochester (19-6) vs. Holt (Mo.) (14-5) at O’Fallon HS, 6 p.m.

Anna-Jonesboro (22-4) vs. O'Fallon (14-) at Blazier Field, 4 p.m.

Saturday’s semifinals will be at Blazier Field at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The third-place game will be at 3 p.m.

The Prep Baseball Report will be there to report all the action.