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The Pioneers, defending champions, have captured 13 titles in 24 years of the Sanilac County Baseball Tournament. A 14th could face a major challenge when C-L meets Brown City in the Noon semifinal game this Saturday at CPS. The host Tigers tangle with Deckerville in the opener at 10 a.m.

The Pioneers play in the tough Blue Water Area Conference and look to be in title contention. Coach Mike Holes has a veteran team that won a co-championship in the BWAC, along with the County title, last season.

With two league games this week, including one with Algonac on Thursday, Holes will likely have to reach deeper to find his starting pitchers for the County on Saturday. Justin Walls has been his No. 1 man on the mound. But, it might just be a matter of any of his reserve pitchers finding the strike zone and letting a solid defense do the work.

Cameron Barrett, Zach Fabian, Derek Sheridan and Brad Seidl lead a potent batting attack.

Meanwhile, Tom Long of Brown City, a first-year varsity coach like Holes, has a deep pitching corps. Seniors Ed Rayba, Justin Holsworth and Andre Sanson see the most duty. Aaron Bullock, perhaps the No. 4 starter, has thrown no-hitters against Peck and Capac.

The pitching depth, according to Long, "has been a blessing. Having coached JV here, I've had all of these kids when they were younger. W can use five or six pitchers, which really helps. I feel confident in them."

Brown City's lone County title came just two years ago. Long said a second crown is a goal for himself and his team.

"The kids are looking forward to it. They're excited," he said. "(Cros-Lex) is always a tough team. To open with them is a challenge. But, we like playing good teams like that."

Both CPS and Deckerville have young teams. The Tigers have one of the top pitchers in the area in southpaw James Lusher. But, Lusher, is likely to pitch one of this Thursday's games against Peck.

The championship game Saturday at CPS is slated for 2 p.m.