The Austin Greyhounds have had a little magic on their side as of late and they’re hoping to keep the act going as they play in the Class B state quarterfinals this weekend.

The Hounds are fresh off a pair of extra inning wins that kept their season alive and now they’ll face off against Shakopee in Dassel 7:30 p.m. Friday.

“We’re kind of riding high,” Hounds co-manger John Frein said. “Both games we were down late and we found a little bit of magic. I don’t think we’re playing to our potential yet, but I feel like we’ve been playing better each game.”

The Hounds have are very familiar with Shakopee, who beat Forest Lake 10-6 in the first round of the state tournament. The Hounds and Shakopee met in the state tournament a few years back and Shakopee is usually at the SpamTown Challenge.

The Hounds have made it this far with some clutch pitching. Nels Nelson has been strong on the hill and Logan Spitzack has pitched 13 innings over the last two games, while allowing just one earned run and striking out 12. Frein also likes the Hounds’ other options on the mound, but he likes the possibility of being able to throw Nelson and Spitzack.

“The way this tourney is set up, it helps to have two good pitchers,” Frein said. “Nels and Logan have been studs. Logan was dynamite last game.”

If the Hounds beat Shakopee, they will take on the winner of Moorehead and St. Michael in Litchfield 1:30 p.m. Saturday. If Austin loses, it will play an elimination game in Hutchinson Sept. 2.