The Crusaders come in as the No. 4 seed and match up with No. 1 Bishop Ryan of Minot in the first round at 1 p.m.
At 3 p.m., No. 2 Des Lacs-Burlington tangles with No. 3 North Shore-Plaza.
Although the Crusaders have struggled through most of the season, they have been playing some of their best ball coming into the postseason.
“We're playing pretty well right now, the kids have come a long way,” said Crusaders coach Pete Borseth. Borseth said they have had problems with being tentative against the better teams like Ryan, but he said he thinks they have a chance to upset the top-ranked Lions.
“If we can hit the ball, I think we can get something done. We only lost to them 2-0 earlier in the year,” said Borseth.
The Crusaders coach will likely throw his ace, Tyler Burnett, in the opener. Burnett has been the most consistent arm on the hill for TC-T, but they can also go to Andy Banta or Josh Vedaa, who can put up some quality innings as well.
Defensively, the Crusaders have improved all year with a younger lineup, but they have been solid the last couple of weeks.
Borseth is more concerned with the play at the plate.
“We concentrated on defense so much I probably didn't do enough on hitting, so that's what we're really focused on right now. We did hit New Town's Drew Drosdal and he's one of the region's better pitchers, so that was good,” said Borseth.
Another problem has been eligibility for the Crusaders, but Borseth said he thought they should have a complete lineup for the tournament.
Kyle and Klay Hanson provide punch at the plate with their power and the are veterans who provide leadership as well.
Burnett is also a solid hitter, while eighth-grader Isaac Black has been a pleasant surprise at short stop and with the bat.
Settling behind the plate has been Caleb Turcotte.
Also coming along this season are Jacob Zimmer, Jeff Beckman, Mitchell Kvernum, Matthew Kvernum, Shaun McNary, Spencer Mendro and Iver Aafedt.
Borseth said they have to just try to come into the tournament relaxed.
“Sometimes when we play the top teams we get too anxious, we just need to go out and play,” he said.
At Aafedt Stadium
Monday's games
GM 1 - No. 1 Bishop Ryan vs. No. 4 Trinity Christian-Trenton, 1 p.m.
GM 2 - No. 2 Des Lacs-Burlington vs. No. 3 North Shore-Plaza, 3 p.m.
Loser out
GM 3 - BR/TC-T loser vs. DL-B/NS-P loser, 5 p.m.
Semifinal
GM 4 - BR/TC-T winner vs. DL-B/NS-P winner, 7 p.m.
Tuesday's games
GM 5 - GM 3 winner vs. GM 4 loser, 5 p.m.
Championship
GM 6 - GM 4 winner vs. GM 5 winner, 7 p.m.
Wednesay' Game
Championship (if necessary)
GM 6 loser vs. GM 6 winner, if loser has 1 loss, 1 p.m.
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