After weeks of playing a variety of opponents from multiple states with a variety of results, the Aberdeen Smittys will face a postseason opponent that they just saw earlier this week when they host Brandon Valley today and Friday at Fossum Field.

“I don’t think you could script that even in you tried to. There’s so many teams, just so many different outcomes throughout the season,” said Smittys coach Nathan Gonnelly. “It really didn’t matter the opponent, though. We’re just going to go out there and we’re going to be playing the game that’s been doing us well this whole season.”

Games are set for 6 tonight, and noon Friday and if needed 2 p.m. Friday in the best two-of-three series.

The two teams just split a doubleheader on Monday, so they should know each other well.

“It’s kind of nice that we actually faced them a couple of days ago, because we saw what kind of baseball they play. They have some good players, They’re a young team, though,” Gonnelly said. “It just kind of gave us a glimpse into what we’re probably going to see this upcoming series. We saw a ton of their pitchers and they saw some of ours. It will be fun.”

If there is one major difference between the two squads it’s that Aberdeen has a big advantage when it comes to experience. The Smittys have a group of super seniors to go along with a half dozen seniors, compared to just one senior on the roster for Brandon Valley.

Gonnelly said practice on Wednesday felt just like normal because of that experience.

“With this group of guys it feels the same. We’re not going to get too antsy. These guys have been there,” Gonnelly said. “They upset Watertown last year and now we’re hosting this year, so it’s kind of a vibe of ‘Hey, we’ve been doing this all season, let’s just go out there and do what we’ve been doing.’”

Gonnelly said the key to success in the postseason boils down to three basic elements.

“Pretty much what it comes down to is the pitchers who can throw the most strikes and whoever can score the most runs,” he said. “That’s just kind of baseball at the end of the day. Defense is going to be a huge part of it, too.”

The winner of this series between seventh-seeded Aberdeen and eighth-seeded Brandon Valley will head to the State A Tournament starting next Tuesday in Brookings.

“It’s going to be fun,” Gonnelly said of the region playoff. “When you’re that 7-8 seed, that’s the most competitive game to get into the state tournament.”