The American Legion Post 70 17U team finished the regular season with a 19-3 record and heads to the state championship.

Post 70 will be one of 20 teams that will participate in the tournament that begins Thursday in Birmingham.

“This is what we have been waiting for all summer,” said Post 70 head coach Tripp Blackmon. “The guys are looking forward to it more than I am for sure.”

The tournament will consist three pool play games with the top eight teams advancing to the single elimination tournament.

“We have something to play for now,” Blackmon said. “In the tournaments we played before we may have won a trophy here and there. This is going to determine who is the best team in the league is.”

During the 22 game schedule, Post 70 has come a long way. “They have grown up a lot,” Blackmon said. “I have really seen some guys come around with their hitting. We have been very fortunate that our pitching for the most part have been doing well. Our defense has been so-so, but I know its there.”

Post 70 will look to pitchers Reed Jinright, Carson Tucker, Charlie Tidsale, Graham Wilkes and Nathan Renfroe to shut down opposing offenses.

“I feel like as long as we can control our pitching and we get everyone to throw really well, then I feel really good about it,” Blackmon said. “Even if the sticks aren’t there and the pitching is there, then we will be fine.”

Many of the pitchers took the mound in post-season games with their respective high schools and Blackmon hopes that experience will benefit them in Birmingham.

“I really think that is going to help,” Blackmon said. “I am looking at every single game as a big game. Each game means something. I am really glad that we have some guys that have played in big games. I think that is going to be very beneficial.”

American Legion Post 70 plays Huntsville Post 247 at 4 p.m. Thursday.