By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

A total of 48 teams began regional play last week and 12 remain as the West Virginia state tournament prepares to kick off on Thursday at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston. Today we preview the four teams that will compete for an opportunity to be crowned Class AA state champions for 2014. Prep Baseball Report will be in Charleston for all three days to cover the final weekend of play and the crowning of three new champions.

+ CLICK HERE to view complete regional Tournament brackets leading to the state tournament

Class AA (in bracket order)

Bridgeport (30-6)

The Indians have hovered at or near the top of the Class AA rankings all season and are making a repeat trip to Charleston looking to avenge last year's 9-6 loss to Fairmont Senior in the semifinals. 2014 RHP/1B Tyler Skidmore leads the Indians' in nearly every offensive category hitting .436 with 37 RBI and 37 runs scored. A very deep pitching staff is led by 2015 Sammy Aloi who has gone 7-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 53 innings of work.

Chapmanville Regional (28-6)

The Tigers allowed just two runs in two games during regional play to advance to the Class AA final four. Chapmanville opened the season with 12 consecutive wins and following a 5-5 stretch in the middle of the season have finished on a terror going 11-1 down the stretch. 2015 SS/RHP Tristan Thompson is 5-0 on the hill and has hit .350 with 35 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.

Fairmont Senior (22-7)

The Polar Bears make their annual pilgrimage to Charleston for the 11th time in the past 12 years. OF/LHP Austin Norman (12 home runs) has been red hot and recently announced his commitment to Marshall University. Fairmont Senior returns the bulk of its starting lineup that lost in the state title game a year ago. If they can get solid pitching they should be able to score with their opponents again this year.

independence (26-7)

The Patriots join Bridgeport and Fairmont Senior to give this year's Class AA field a strong resemblance to last year's. The Patriots will be looking to avenge a state semifinal loss to Herbert Hoover last year that ended by way of a walk-off grand slam. SS Wyatt Adkins has done a little bit of everything for the Patriots this season. The West Virginia Wesleyan recruit has demonstrated the ability to hit the long ball in his senior season. Independence is on a seven game win streak looking to extend that streak to nine in order to take home the ultimate prize.

State Tourney schedule

friday, June 6 - Appalachian Power Park

Gilmer County vs. Notre Dame (5:00pm)
St. Marys vs. Man (7:45pm)

Saturday, June 7 - Appalachian Power Park

Class A Championship Game - 4:00pm