RAPID CITY - Rapid City Post 320 comes into the South Dakota American Legion State A Tournament after finishing runner-up at the 3A Region tournament in Pierre last week.

The Stars (44-14) are paired with State B champion Parkston in their first round game on Wednesday at 4 p.m. MDT.

"I know they're a tough team," said Post 320 head coach Jim Brandt, "They've beaten some good East River Class A teams. Our kids never look across the field and look past anyone because that would be a huge mistake. We know they think that they can take the whole thing. If you don't believe that you probably shouldn't be there."

In the regional tournament, Post 320 lost its first game to Spearfish and had to fight back through the losers' bracket winning its next three games which qualified the Stars for the state tournament. In the championship game of the regional they lost to Rapid City Post 22.

"We hope that we can step it up a notch," Brandt said, "I think we're going to have to play better than we did in the regional tournament."

In five games at the region, Post 320 scored 56 runs, including four home runs, three by right fielder Zach Cimburek, and as a team it hit over .400 in the tourney.

"Our hitting carried us in the regional, and it will have to again in the state," said Brandt, "I think we're going to have to average six to eight runs per game to make it deep into the tournament."

The Stars are led by Kyle Starkey offensively, who led them in batting average in the regular season, hitting .506, and went 11-for-20 in the regional.

"Kyle is going to have to have a good tournament again, as are a lot of different guys. Zach Cimburek hit 13 home runs this season, tying our record. Brad Winkelman is going to be a key on the mound and at the plate. Every guy on the field is going to have to do their part," Brandt said.

Defensively, Post 320 has been solid throughout the season averaging under an error a game. In the regional the Stars came up with some key double plays, and committed just two errors in their three wins.

"We're solid up the middle. Good teams are always solid up the middle on defense," Brandt said. "Nate Jacobson and Chris Lindemann both did a great job during the regional, Starkey is as solid as they come in center, and we have some good catching as well. We're very happy about the way they've played all year and we expect the same this tournament."

Pitching will be the big question mark for the Stars. Their No. 1 pitcher, Adam Carroll, comes into the state tourney with a 9-1 record and a 2.18 ERA, and Tyler Jones has been solid in relief with an ERA of 2.81, but their team ERA is around six runs per game.

"Right now our pitching is about average. The good news is our pitching staff is healthy, but we're going to have to cut down on the number of runs we give up per game." said Brandt.

If Post 320 wins its first game it will play the winner of the first game of the day between Post 22 and Watertown. If the Stars lose they will play the loser of the same game.

"We're going to take it one game at a time, and if we can get that first one it would be just fantastic," Brandt said.