This story is sponsored by: Sternweis & Sons
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
The Marshfield Post 54 Legion baseball team has had an up-and-down season by all measures, but it is ending on a high note.
The Blue Devils (19-20) will open play at the 2024 Wisconsin Class AAA American Legion Baseball State Tournament at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday afternoon against Eau Claire at 4 p.m. in a first-round matchup at the double-elimination tournament.
The winner of the state title, and the runner-up, will advance to the Great Lakes Regional at Carol Stream, Ill., on Aug. 7-11 11 against state champions from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, as well as host Carol Stream. The regional champion qualifies for the 2024 American Legion Baseball World Series at Shelby, N.C., on Aug. 15-20.
Marshfield is back at state for the second time in three years after placing third in 2022, losing to Eau Claire 11-7 in the semifinals.
Marshfield played Eau Claire three times this season – losing 18-1 on June 15 at a tournament in Wisconsin Rapids, winning 8-5 at the Chippewa Falls Tournament on June 28, and dropping a 4-2 decision at Eau Claire’s home tournament on July 13.
The winner will play at 4 p.m. Wednesday against the winner of Tuesday’s game between De Pere and Manitowoc. The losers of the two games will play Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Wisconsin Class AAA American Legion Baseball State Tournament
July 30-Aug. 3, at Lincoln High School, Wisconsin Rapids
Tuesday, July 30
Game 1: De Pere vs. Manitowoc, 10 a.m.
Game 2: Middleton vs. Milwaukee, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Eau Claire vs. Marshfield, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Wisconsin Rapids vs. Oshkosh, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31
Game 5: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 3 Loser, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Game 2 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 1
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 2
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 13: Game 10 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3
Game 14: Game 12 winner vs. Game 13 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 15: Repeat if Game 14 loser suffers first loss, 7 p.m.
(Notes: Pairings for Games 12 and 13 will not match previous opponents unless necessary; If three teams remain after Game 13, the winner of Game 11 draws by into Game 14)