(La Porte, IN) - La Porte should be the favorite to win a second consecutive sectional title in high school baseball this evening, as the Slicers (18-10) will play Mishawaka (14-14) in the Plymouth sectional title game, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. (Central Time).

Voice of the Slicers, Chip Jones, said the game will likely be close given the history between the two programs.

“Mishawaka always is scrappy and they have given us problems for years in this sectional,” he said.

Chip said he’s not surprised at the Slicers advancing to the sectional title game again, because of the number of victories and losses in close games against high-quality opponents during the regular season.

“We can play with anybody and we have,” he said.

He said the pitching staff is not overpowering, but consistently throwing strikes and has a solid defense. Chip explained how pitching and defense, along with hits with runners in scoring positions will be the key to victory for the Slicers, who lost to Penn in the regionals last year before going on on to win the state title.

“It might not be the most talented La Porte team we have ever seen but, man, these guys play hard. They are tough and they don’t give up,” he said.