What to watch for at Missouri high school baseball state tournaments

The Missouri high school baseball playoffs continue this week with the Class 5 and Class 4 state semifinal and championship games at CarShield Field in O’Fallon, Mo.

A glance at the local qualifying teams:

LEE’S SUMMIT

The Tigers (23-9) have been living right during the Class 5 playoffs, winning three games by two runs or fewer.

Lee’s Summit possesses a 2.46 team earned run average. Senior Dalen Blair has 10 victories on the mound.

First baseman Ben Lock is batting .405 this season, and outfielder Dalton Hill has a team-best three home runs.

Lee’s Summit faces Jefferson City (29-2) in the semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

PLEASANT HILL

Three consecutive one-run victories propelled the Roosters into the Class 4 semifinals, where they will face Aurora (25-3) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Pleasant Hill (18-9) doesn’t hit for a wealth of power, but it gets on base better than 40 percent of the time. Senior James Barnes is batting .427 this season; outfielder Blake Beagle is hitting .407; and catcher Jackson Caley is batting .390.

Barnes is also 6-2 on the mound.