Playing in a state tournament next Tuesday will taste extra sweet for Bridgeport sophomore Aidan Dunn after some bitter disappointment from last year’s regional against Frankfort.

 

“I got to pitch in that last regional game last year that we lost in,” Dunn said. “I kind of wish I could have done better, but this year we’re not going to just wish. We’re going to go out there and we’re going to win it all.”

 

Dunn and the Tribe are the top seed in Class AAA and will face No. 8 East Fairmont at 10 a.m. at Jack Cook Field on Marshall University’s campus.

 

“We saw them in the season, so we know what they’ve got,” Dunn said. “We’ve just got to be ready for their starting pitcher. I think that’s going to be our toughest thing.”

 

Bridgeport also played multiple games in that stadium earlier this year, which East Fairmont has not.

 

“I think it gives us a one-up on them,” Dunn said. “We’ll be ready when we walk in. The hops are more true, but the ball usually bounces harder and faster.”

 

The game will be Bridgeport’s first in 15 days.

 

“It’s tough,” Dunn said. “We don’t have any extra games to play like some of these other teams, but we’ve been coming in here at practice and we’re working hard every day. We have guys throwing live who are some of the best arms in the state, so it’s definitely helping.”

 

“I think we’ve really bonded as a team,” Dunn said. “We just have to stay focused. If we come in at practice every day and we’re focused, I think we’ll be all right.”