Some familiar opponents will meet in the Tri-Valley Championship baseball game on Monday at 5 p.m. at Oneonta State.

The Cherry Valley-Springfield baseball team and head coach Ed Dubben are hoping the third time will be the charm against Edmeston, who have defeated the Patriots in the title game the past two seasons.

"We're hoping to be the ones to unseat them, but we know they're a talented team that's used to winning," Dubben said. "We'll give them a good game, I'm sure of that."

Both teams are a perfect 9-0 in league play, and were scheduled to meet Monday, but the game was rained out. Another try on Tuesday was also rained out.

"I haven't seen them play in person, but I know they're an aggressive team on the base paths and they know how to win games," Dubben said.

The Panthers, 14-1 overall, are the defending Class D state champions, and have lost just one game all season under first year head coach Mike Clark, who took over for legendary coach Ron Tasior this spring.

"It's been a smooth transition," Clark said. "I was the assistant last year, and I graduated from Edmeston so I know the players and know the system."

The Patriots, 10-2 overall, will enter the game on an offensive roll, having outscored their opponents 174-43 this season, an average of 13 runs a game. Eleven of the 13 players on the roster are hitting over .300, including a team-leading .596 from senior Hyde Clarke, the only senior on the roster.

Clarke has helped fill the huge hole left by the graduation of Scott Dubben last year. Like Dubben, Clarke is both the ace of the pitching staff and the team's leading hitter this year.

Clarke, who will get the start on Monday, owns a 6-1 record on the hill this season, including a no-hitter, and has been overpowering in most of his starts, Dubben said.

"His only loss came in a relief role, and we made three errors in one inning behind him," Dubben said.

Clark said his team still hopes to make up three league games this week, but his plan is to start senior Ryan Laymon in the championship game. Laymon also owns a 6-1 record, the only loss coming to Class C Seton Catholic, a game in which Edmeston made eight errors behind him.

"Ryan throws hard, and he also mixes in a curve and knuckleball," Clark said of Laymon, who is headed to Division II Mansfield next fall.

Clark said fellow seniors John Schumacher and Justin Plows have also been instrumental in the Panthers' success this season.

If Clarke runs into trouble against Edmeston, Dubben will likely turn to junior Steve Herringshaw, who has also had a very good year on the mound and owns a .467 batting average. CV-S shortstop Ben Halay and outfielder Anthony Brant both have averages over .400 as well.

"When you play a team in the championship for three straight years you can't help but build a bit of a rivalry," Clark said. "We're a real good baserunning team and we're disciplined at the plate. I like our chances."