PLATTSBURGH — The Clinton County Mariners American Legion baseball team played a demanding 2009 regular season schedule for a reason.

And, that reason is this weekend.

The Mariners (15-10 overall) are one of eight teams competing in the District IV Tournament, being held in Schenectady.

Clinton County opposes the Tri-County Eagles (South Glens Falls) today at 11 a.m. in the opening round of the double-elimination event.

It has been a bit of an up-and-down season for the Mariners, who have looked good at times and not so good at other times.

"Our goal from the start was to play better teams to prepare for the Districts," said Mariners head coach John Flynn. "We played eight games in six days in the Granville and Coopers Cave Tournaments and were a little more tired than I wanted us to be.

"The reason we've been a up and down is because of all the good teams we've played. But, I think we're in a better frame of mind because of that. It comes down to pitching and defense. And, I feel we can play with anyone."

Clinton County, late in the regular season, got on a roll with five wins in a row in the Granville Tournament and then the Coopers Cave Tournament.

But, then the Mariners slipped some by losing their final three games in the Coopers Cave Tournament and had a rough time of it in Wednesday's exhibition against the Champlain Valley Baseball League All-Stars.

"Instead of looking at the three games in a row we lost, I'm looking more at the three games we won in the bottom of the seventh against some good teams," Flynn said.

"Shrub Oak ended up winning the Coopers Cave Tournament and we beat them in the tournament. We've had good pitching all season up until last weekend."

The Mariners have compiled a 5-3 record against teams in the District IV Tournament.

Included is a twinbill split with the Tri-County Eagles early in the season where the Mariners posted a 6-3 win in the opener and dropped a 1-0 setback in Game 2.

"We match up well with them and I'm starting Alex LaFountain on the mound against them," Flynn said. "I have confidence in LaFountain and I'll have Jordan Keysor ready for Saturday.

"It doesn't, however, matter how we did against these teams earlier in the season because it's a clean slate now. We have to stress winning the first game. It's very important. You don't want to get into the loser's bracket in a tournament like this."

The Mariners also own two victories (7-3 and 7-0) over Malone Post 219, a 13-0 win over the Norfolk Rovers and a 10-9 win over Granville. Clinton County's other two losses were a 9-4 setback to the Saratoga Jr. Stampede and a 10-0 setback to the Anaconda Indians.

"Anaconda beat us pretty handily when we played them earlier this season and we'll likely play them if we beat South Glens Falls (Tri-County)," Flynn said. "We'd like to get another shot at them.

"I feel good about our team. We're a year older and a little grittier, with a bit of fight in us. Last year was new for a lot of our players and myself and we have to learn from it."

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Clinton County Mariners

Game results

(15-10 overall record

Colchester Cannons L, 7-9

Colchester Cannons W, 8-7

Tri-County Eagles W, 6-3

Tri-County Eagles L, 0-1

Norfolk Rovers W, 13-0

Montreal Titans L, 0-2

Saratoga Jr. StampedeL, 4-9

Malone Post 219 W, 7-3

Meron's/Renzi's W, 8-2

Anaconda IndiansL, 0-10

New Brunswick W, 11-3

Essex, Vt. Post L, 0-4

Orange, Ct. W, 5-2

Malone Post 219 W, 7-0

Champlain Edge W, 6-2

Champlain EdgeW, 9-7

Fourth Ward CardinalsL, 3-9

Chester Legion W, 9-8

Fair Haven, Vt. W, 5-2

Champlain Edge W, 2-0

Granville Legion W, 10-9

Shrub Oak W, 2-1

Hudson Post L, 4-9

Colchester Cannons L, 7-9

Pittsfield, Mass. L, 7-15

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District IV

American Legion Tournament

Today's games

Saratoga vs. Granville, Fehr Avenue Field, 11 a.m.

Tri-County vs. Clinton County Mariners, Iroquois Way Field, 11 a.m.

Norfolk Rovers vs. St. Johnsville, Iroquois Way Field, 4 p.m.

Malone vs. Anaconda, Fehr Avenue Field, 7 p.m.

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Saturday's games

Winner's bracket

Norfolk Rovers/St. Johnsville winner vs. Saratoga/Granville winner, Iroquois Way Field, 2 p.m.

Malone/Anaconda winner vs. Tri-County/Clinton County Mariners winner, Fehr Avenue Field, 7 p.m.

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Loser's bracket

Malone/Anaconda loser vs. Tri-County/Clinton County Mariners loser, Fehr Avenue Field, 11 a.m.

Norfolk Rovers/St. Johnsville loser vs. Saratoga/Granville loser, Iroquois Way Field, 11 a.m.

Sunday's games

TBA