It will be a matchup with new stakes on the line in today's Class 4 District 9 championship game between the Helias Crusaders and the Blair Oaks Falcons.
Both teams won district championships last season, but only one will advance with a win in today's game, which starts at 5 p.m. at Bank of Sullivan Ball Park.
"It's an 0-0 season right now," Blair Oaks coach Travis Henke said. "The best team moves on. Right now, we're both playing very good baseball and I'm just hoping for a very good game."
Helias (16-6), the No. 1 seed in the district, won both regular-season matchups against Blair Oaks (19-8). The Crusaders won 5-1 during the Capital City Invitational on April 6, then picked up a 4-3 walk-off win against the Falcons on April 25.
But more is at stake with today's rematch.
"It's different because it's for a district championship and that's a different type of pressure," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said.
Both games were played at Helias' home field at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. Today's matchup will be played at a neutral site more than 90 miles away.
Helias will go with Tyler Cassmeyer on the mound today. It will be the second time this season Cassmeyer has faced Blair Oaks this season, pitching a no-hitter in the first meeting.
"That was more than 30 days ago, I think it is a little bit of an advantage to see a guy a second time, but it has been so long, I don't think it will mean that much," Wyrick said.
Blair Oaks, the No. 3 seed, is used to facing No. 1 pitchers in the district tournament, having beaten the aces from Sullivan and Salem to reach the title game.
"We got the seed where we're going to see everybody's ace, and we're going to do it again," Henke said. "Tyler Cassmeyer threw well the last time we saw him."
The Falcons have already used their top two pitchers in the tournament to get this far. It will be Tyler Swehla's turn in the rotation.
"Tyler Swehla's been throwing well for us all year," Henke said. "Hopefully he throws well and he can keep us in the ballgame."
Swehla has already been part of two no-hitters this season, throwing one against Hallsville and combining with Colton Hoelscher to no-hit Blue Springs. Swehla has not pitched against Helias this season.
"Swehla is a new monster for us, it's going to be a challenge," Wyrick said.
Both teams batted around the order in their semifinal wins Saturday. Henke hopes Blair Oaks, which will be the visiting team today, can repeat that same performance against Helias.
"Hopefully we can jump on them early and keep scoring early and often," he said.
Blair Oaks has won six games in a row since losing a 16-inning contest to Battle and wrapped up a Tri-County Conference title during the win streak.
Helias has overcome a 1-3 start to the season, turning the course of the season with an 11-game win streak after winning the Capital City Invitational.
"Earlier in the year, I was wondering if we could get this far," Wyrick said. "But we kicked it into gear and started playing better baseball.
"This is where we expect to be."
The winner of today's district championship game will host the District 10 champion Tuesday, May 23 in the Class 4 sectional round.