HASTINGS — It took 13 games and four days to reduce the Nebraska American Legion Class A Juniors State Tournament field from eight teams to three. Each remaining team entered the tournament as an area champion, and each brings a 3-1 record into Wednesday’s final day at Duncan Field.

Bennington Post 266, the Area 4 champion, will face Lincoln East Duncan Aviation Jets Post 500, the Area 6 champion, in Game 14 at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to meet Lincoln Southwest Cornhusker Heating & Air Post 500, the Area 5 champion, in Game 15 at 7 p.m. for the state championship.

Bennington opened the tournament with an 11-3 victory over Hastings Johnson Imperial Homes Post 11 before suffering its only loss, 14-6, against Lincoln Southwest.

Facing elimination, Bennington responded with an 11-3 win over Papillion Post 32. It then secured a spot on the tournament’s final day by defeating Omaha Creighton Prep Bones Post 1, 14-6, on Tuesday.

Bennington has scored 42 runs and allowed 26 through four games. After being sent into the elimination bracket on Sunday, Bennington has answered with two convincing victories and will need one more against Lincoln East to reach the championship game.

Lincoln East began its tournament with an 8-3 victory over Papillion before falling to Creighton Prep, 9-5, in its second game.

With no room left for another loss, Lincoln East eliminated Hastings with a 16-0 victory and followed with an 11-2 win over previously unbeaten Lincoln Southwest on Tuesday night. Those two victories came by a combined score of 27-2.

Lincoln East has scored 40 runs while allowing only 14, the fewest surrendered by any of the three remaining teams. It enters Wednesday having won two straight elimination games and will try to continue that run against Bennington.

Lincoln Southwest took the most direct route to the final day, winning its first three tournament games. It defeated Gretna East Post 216, 7-1, before posting consecutive 14-6 victories over Bennington and Creighton Prep.

Lincoln Southwest’s unbeaten run ended with Tuesday night’s 11-2 loss to Lincoln East. Because three teams remained after Game 13, Lincoln Southwest advanced directly to Game 15 as the winner of Game 11.

Lincoln Southwest has scored 37 runs and allowed 24. It will have the advantage of watching Wednesday’s opening game before facing either Bennington or Lincoln East for the state championship.