State baseball championships

Today at Joe Cannon Stadium

Class 4A

High Point (20-2) vs. Thomas Johnson (16-10)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

Tomorrow at Joe Cannon Stadium

Class 1A

Boonsboro (18-4) vs. Catoctin (15-9)

Time: Noon

Class 2A

Southern-AA (10-14) vs. No. 3 Atholton (19-5)

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Outlook: This is the fourth trip to the state tournament for both teams, and, to this point, neither has won a state title. Atholton advanced to the state semifinals with an 8-7 victory over defending Class 2A state champion Centennial in the West regional final, with ace right-hander Matt Revelle notching a save. The Raiders then eliminated Easton of Talbot County, 9-2, behind Revelle (11-1), who allowed three hits and struck out nine. He is expected to pitch again in the final on three days' rest. The Raiders are led offensively by Steve Merson (.459, 20 runs, 15 RBIs, six doubles, two triples) and Vyt Rivers (.449, 17 runs, 38 RBIs, 10 doubles, five homers). Southern, the only 2A team in Anne Arundel County, went 4-12 against the county's 4A and 3A teams and entered the playoffs with a 6-14 record. The Bulldogs won their final regular-season game, 2-1, over North County and have reeled off four straight postseason victories, including Tuesday's 4-3 upset of No. 10 Overlea. Junior lefty Justin Shepherd (7-3), who threw a complete-game six-hitter against Overlea, may go tomorrow. Shepherd (.338), catcher Roger Shirkey (.343), outfielder Mike Porter (.319) and pitcher-third baseman Craig Wood (.324, 22 RBIs) are the Bulldogs' top hitters.

Class 3A

No. 13 South Carroll (14-9) vs. La Plata (17-7)

Time: 7 p.m.

Outlook: South Carroll, the 1999 state champion, is making its fourth trip to the final after upsetting No. 1 Severna Park, 2-1, in Tuesday's semifinals at Cannon Stadium. Right-hander Josh Lewis (6-1) held the usually potent-hitting Falcons to three hits. Coach George Richardson said afterward that Lewis would not start tomorrow, but that he would not hesitate to use the Indiana University-bound pitcher in relief. Either Ryan Mantua (5-2, 1.37 ERA) or lefty Bo Sauter (2-2, 2.97) will get the start. The Cavaliers' top hitters are 1B Jim Dahlgren (.390, 19 RBIs), 2B Brad Mayr (.369, 28 RBIs), who doubled in both runs in the first inning against Severna Park, and OFs Ryan Harrison (.362, 11 RBIs) and Corey Greene (.333, 12 RBIs). Entering the postseason with a 10-9 record, the Cavaliers have won four straight for the first time this season. La Plata of Charles County is in its first final in five playoff appearances, and possesses a quality offensive attack. The Warriors slapped No. 6 Fallston for 11 hits in winning the other semifinal, 9-5. C Micky Ely (.369, 19 RBIs) and 1B George Beuchert (.460, 25 RBIs) are the Warriors' top hitters. Daryl Thompson (7-2, 2.00 ERA), who got the win over Fallston, and Tim Deavers (6-1, 1.75 ERA) are the standout pitchers.

- Pat O'Malley