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The Bi-State Bulldogs, Luther High School's Legion baseball program, are hosting the Class A regional for the first time in program history this year, beginning Thursday at Logan. They could enter on the longest winning streak in program history after stretching their winning streak to a program record seven straight wins after winning last weekend's Cumberland tournament.

Bi-State drew an opening-round bye in the seven-team, double-elimination format, and hosts the winner of Wednesday's Viroqua and Westby game Thursday at 3 p.m. at La Crosse Logan. The July 24 and 25 games in the regional are being played at Logan due to the need for lights.

Five-time defending regional champion Viroqua appears to be the regional favorite, standing as the No. 2 ranked Class A team in the state according to Wisconsin American Legion Baseball. Westby also was ranked earlier in the season, though Bi-State beat Westby 8-4 in Westby July 6.

Other opening-round matchups include Bangor at La Farge, and Genoa-De Soto-Stoddard at Prairie du Chien Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Bi-State beat Bangor 7-4 June 5, while beating GDS 3-1 June 30

The Bulldogs are 0-3 against PDC, which was ranked earlier this season, though the losses included an 7-6, eight-inning road loss June 26. Bi-State was swept 8-5 and 14-10 in a doubleheader at Viroqua June 14. The Bulldogs host a doubleheader with La Farge Saturday at 4 p.m.

Bi-State outscored its opponents 30-3 over its final 14 1/2 innings at Cumberland, beginning with a six-run, two-out comeback in the bottom of the seventh in a 9-8 win over Baldwin-Woodville. The rally began when Matt Essig reached on an error, with an intentional walk to Justin Podella and Shawn Scherer single loading the bases.

The rally appeared dead when winning pitcher Marcus Walters struck out, but gained life when Ryan Zibrowski drew a bases-loaded walk to get the Bulldogs within 8-4, and Brian Wrobel reached on an error to get Bi-State within 8-5. Brad Essig followed with a two-run double to right-center to cut the deficit to 8-7. It all set the stage for Cody Krueger, whose two-run, two-strike single to right-center drove in Wrobel and Essig with the game-winning runs.

The Bulldogs rolled from there, beating Cumberland 14-2 and New Richmond (19-5) 10-1 in the championship game. Justin Podella was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, hitting .700 with six runs scored and three triples. Each of Podella's triples came at Islander Park, which features a 395-foot fence in center field.

Ryan Lussky earned the win in the championship game, allowing one earned run. Matt Essig earned the win against Cumberland, scattering seven hits and allowing two earned runs over the first six innings. Travis Hamilton made his varsity pitching debut in the seventh, allowing a hit and a walk, but striking out the side.