The 2002 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament kicks off tonight in St. Cloud and Cold Spring with the local Austin Greyhounds looking to improve upon last year's runner-up finish.

Tourney co-host Cold Spring (28-5) is the two-time defending Class B champions, guided by Austin native Andy Bulson. Bulson, a left-handed pitcher, won the tournament's Most Valuable Player each of the last two seasons.

Austin (33-17) faces Hutchinson (16-13) in the first round tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Cold Spring. Hutchinson finished third out of the North Star Central League but finished the year on a hot streak reach state. The Greyhounds won eight of their last 10.

With a win, Austin would play against the winner between Red Wing (22-9) and Waseca (22-10) Friday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in St. Cloud. The losers play Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in St. Cloud.

Other top-tier teams at state this year include Austin's Southern Minny League rival Rochester Royals (25-9), as well as Hastings (21-10), Chaska (25-12) and Red Wing. The Royals reached the finals before losing to Austin in last year's tournament, but Cold Spring came back from the loser's bracket to defeat the Greyhounds twice, 7-0 and 9-3.

Other Southern Minny teams at state include the Mankato Twins (19-5) and the Waseca Braves (22-10).

Cold Spring is making a record 15th straight tournament appearance, adding to its record total of 41 trips to state. Of the Springers five losses this season, two are to state tournament teams (Chaska, Apple Valley). Apple Valley (29-7) is making its sixth consecutive appearance, while Chaska has been there four of the last five years and 22 times overall.

The Jordan Brewers (25-13) head to state for the seventh straight season, and St. Cloud Ultimate Sports Grillers (21-9) is back for the third year in a row.

First round:

Thursday, August 15

At St. Cloud

Burnsville (24-8) vs. Jordan (25-13), 5 p.m.

At Cold Spring

Grand Rapids (26-10) vs. Ultimate Sports (21-9), 5 p.m.

Cold Spring (31-5) vs. Bemidji (31-10), 7:30 p.m.

Chaska (25-12) vs. Apple Valley (29-7), 7:30 p.m.

Friday, August 16

At Cold Spring

Dassel-Cokato (21-10) vs. Rochester (25-9), 5 p.m.

Mankato (19-5) vs. Hastings (21-10), 5 p.m.

Austin (33-17) vs. Hutchinson (16-13), 7:30 p.m.

Red Wing (22-9) vs. Waseca (22-10), 7:30 p.m.