BROOKINGS — The Brookings Chutes are heading into this weekend’s Junior Legion State Tournament with a lot of confidence as they have won six-straight games.

The Chutes swept their three-game playoff series with Sturgis over the weekend to secure their spot in the state tournament in Pierre. The Chutes outscored Sturgis 27-0 in the two games and head coach Rhett Zelinsky said he thought the series was a bit of a culmination of the hard work the team has put in over the past two months.

“I think this weekend was kind of a testament to all of the hard work that the kids have put in over the course of the summer. We were super clean defensively and the pitching performances were great. We kind of did the thing that we’ve done all summer offensively, which is hit the ball really hard, get out of the box well and be super aggressive on the bases,” Zelinsky said.

It wasn’t always going great for the Chutes as they started the season 2-4. Brookings has now won 12 of its past 15 games and Zelinsky said his team was never worried about the slow start.

“I think just understanding that the slow start [we had] is just sort of part of baseball and it happens and not letting it define us. Knowing how we were playing to start the year and continuing to improve each and every day, which is what you get with these kids,” Zelinsky said.

Brookings has averaged 11.2 runs during this six-game win streak, but they haven’t been doing it by hitting the ball into the gaps or over the outfielders heads. Instead, the Chutes have used their speed and athleticism on the base paths to generate runs.

“I think we have one of the most athletic teams in the state, top to bottom, and letting them use their legs to create the slug when we’re not a team that is always driving balls in the gap [has helped a lot],” Zelinsky said. “Our one through nine can get a double at any time just because we’re so athletic. I think we’ve really bought into our approach at the plate, picking out a pitch early in the count and eliminating strikeouts as much as we can.”

Brookings has got it done on the mound as well. They have three pitchers that can go far into the games and that’s what makes Zelinsky think his team may have what it takes to win the whole thing this weekend in Pierre.

“Part of my confidence that I have going into the weekend is having three starters that would without a doubt be No. 1 pitchers on every other team in the state. We don’t really look at it as a one, two or three. We have three options for a No. 1 starter in Breck Wilson, Will Conrad and Talon Hyde. They’ve all been lights out on the mound for us,” Zelinsky said.

Zelinsky added that having a shortstop like Cooper Schneider and center fielder like Tre Christopherson has helped a well as they have been great at defending the middle of the field all season.

Brookings is the No. 2 seed in the tournament and is in a pool with Brandon Valley, Rapid City Post 320 and Pierre. Brandon Valley is the No. 4 seed and the Chutes beat them 8-7 on July 21. Brookings also played Pierre that day and beat the No. 12 seed and tournament host 11-4. Brookings did not play No. 6 seeded Rapid City during the season.

Zelinsky said the seeds won’t really matter when it comes to this weekend and his team needs to be ready for everyone’s best baseball.

“I’m super pleased with our draw,” Zelinsky said. “I think it gives us a chance to make it to Sunday and that’s all you can really ask for. Brandon Valley is always super competitive in State Tournaments, going back to when I was playing and even now. … I haven’t seen the 320 team, but Rapid City is known for their baseball. Even though they’re not the higher ranked Rapid City team in the tournament, they’re going to put out a good product.

“And then I totally expect Pierre, despite their seed, to totally play their best baseball in the State Tournament with it being that they are the host.”

The Chutes open the tournament on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. against Brandon Valley. They’ll then take on Rapid City on Friday at noon and Pierre on Saturday at 6 p.m. The top two teams from each pool will advance to Sunday and play the other pool’s top two teams for a trip to the championship, which will be played at 2:30 p.m.