Ed Lynn Memorial Field will be the site to crown a state champion next week, as the Powell Pioneers ‘A’ team will look to defend their state title on their home field starting this Saturday.

The Pioneers (42-18) head into the tournament on the back of a strong hitting weekend, claiming the No. 1 seed out of the west at the Class ‘A’ West District Tournament in Green River with a 43-3 run differential.

Powell kicks off the tournament against the east No. 4 seed Gillette Rustlers (33-29).

The Pioneers enter on a four-game winning streak and are 8-2 their last 10, while the Rustlers also enter on a four-game winning streak but are 5-5 in their last 10.

Gillette advanced to the postseason after being the No. 5 seed in the East during the regular season. The Rustlers won two games 7-4 and 11-3 over Douglas in a three game series to enter the postseason as the No. 4 seed.

Games begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and the first round matchup between the Pioneers and Rustlers will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, concluding the first day of action at the tournament.

An opening ceremony will take place approximately 30 minutes before the 7 p.m. first pitch.

If Powell wins, it will advance in the winners bracket, playing once again at 7 p.m. Sunday.

If Powell loses, it will drop down in the modified double elimination bracket and will play at 1 p.m. Sunday.

On Sunday, Powell will take on either the East No. 2 seed Torrington Tigers (36-18) or the West No. 3 seed Lovell Mustangs (22-23-2).

The tournament will last five days, with the championship taking place at either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. dependent on previous results.

Thanks to a gate sponsor by Club Dauntless, entry into the tournament will be free every day, and additional bleachers have been placed alongside the first and third base lines.

The winner of the state tournament will represent Wyoming at the Northwest Class ‘A’ Regional Tournament from Aug. 7-11 in Roseburg, Oregon.

CLASS ‘A’ STATE TOURNAMENT

SATURDAY

Game 1: 10 a.m. No. 2W Cody vs. No. 3E Sheridan

Game 2: 1 p.m. No. 2E Torrington vs. No. 3W Lovell

Game 3: 4 p.m. No. 1E Casper vs. No. 4W Evanston

Game 4: 7 p.m. No. 1W Powell vs. No. 4E Gillette

SUNDAY

Game 6: 10 a.m. Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4

Game 5: 1 p.m. Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3

Game 7: 4 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3

Game 8: 7 p.m. Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4

MONDAY

Game 9: 1 p.m. Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7

Game 10: 4 p.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8

Game 11: 7 p.m. Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8

TUESDAY

Game 12: 1 p.m. Winner Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11

Game 13: 4 p.m. Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11

WEDNESDAY

Game 14: 11 a.m. Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13 (Championship Game)

Game 15: 2 p.m. Winner Game 14 vs. Loser Game 14 (If necessary)

*Pairing for games 12 and 13 will not match previous opponents against each other unless necessary

*If three teams remain after Game 13, the winner of Game 11 automatically draws the bye in Game 14 and will be placed in Game 15